SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Thousands streamed into a square in Yemen’s capital Sanaa on Wednesday, trying to strengthen the hold of anti-government protesters after club-wielding backers of President Ali Abdullah Saleh tried to drive them out.
One person was killed and at least 12 injured in the clashes late Tuesday near Sanaa University, medics said. A local human rights group gave a higher toll, saying two people were killed and 18 hurt.
Also Wednesday, seven legislators who belong to Saleh’s ruling party resigned from the group because of the situation in the country and said they will form their own independent bloc, member of parliament Abdul-Aziz Jabbari said. The resignations raise to nine the number of legislators who left Saleh’s Congress Party since protests began earlier this month.
The U.S.-backed Saleh, in power for 32 years, has said he will step down after national elections are held in 2013. But a widening protest movement, inspired by successful uprising in Egypt and Tunisia, demands that he leave office now.
Saleh’s government was already weak before the protests erupted; it faces an al-Qaida branch, a southern separatist movement and disaffected tribesmen around the country.
In recent days, activists have been digging in, setting up encampments in some areas.
In Sanaa, protesters have been camping in a square near Sanaa University. On Tuesday, they came under attack by pro-government forces who witnesses say swung clubs and fired in the air.
But the government forces failed to dislodge the protesters, and thousands more streamed into the square in support Wednesday, including academics, writers, artists and scholars.
In the port city of al-Mukalla in eastern Yemen, thousands of protesters, many of them school students, marched through the streets, chanting, “The people want the downfall of the regime.”
Demonstrators overturned and set fire to a government car and threw stones at the police who fired tear gas and rubber bullets.
Medical officials at a local hospital said a 16-year-ol boy was seriously injured when a tear gas canister struck his face.
In the port city of Aden, a 19-year-old man wounded last week died of his injuries Wednesday, medics said. His death brought to 13 the number of demonstrators killed since the crisis began nearly a month ago.
