12 dead as Yemeni police fire on protesters

Troops fired on anti-government protesters in the Yemeni capital Sana'a yesterday, killing at least 12 and wounding dozens, according to medical professionals.

Witnesses said 100,000 protesters massed around the state television building and government offices. Security forces opened fire as snipers shot from rooftops, they said.

Mohammed al-Abahi, a field clinic doctor, said at least 200 were wounded. It was the first significant attack in weeks on protesters in the capital who have been calling for the removal of President Ali Abdullah Saleh for more than seven months.

AP