More Yemeni troops join protesters

IRAN: More Yemeni soldiers have reportedly joined the camp of anti-government protesters, despite the possibility of being arrested by the regime. On Saturday, the servicemen were cheered by the protesters as they started attending the demonstrations held in the capital of Sana’a’s Change Square, Reuters reported.

“God willing, in a week we will force him to leave,” said Salaman Ahmed al-Hawri, one protester, referring to President Ali Abdullah Saleh. “We are standing here with our naked chests. The youth is very enthusiastic. He (Saleh) will not stay.” Three people were also injured in an attack on anti-government protesters in the eastern city of Hajjah.

Unidentified gunmen have reportedly abducted a Saudi diplomat in the unrest-riddled country’s capital.

Since late January, hundreds of thousands of people have turned out for regular demonstrations in main Yemeni cities, calling for corruption and unemployment to be tackled and demanding the president’s departure.

Since the beginning of the popular revolution, a huge number of Saleh’s loyalists, tribal allies, ranking government officials, military figures and several soldiers have defected to the opposition.

According to local sources, at least 300 protesters have been killed and many others injured during clashes with riot police and forces loyal to the Yemeni president armed with batons, knives and sticks. Also on Saturday, medical sources said army gunfire has wounded two protesters in the southern port city of Aden.

In response to a call by the opposition, a general strike is underway in the city and many shops, businesses and schools have shut down in the cities of Hudaydah and Taizz, respectively in the west and the southwest.

Press TV