Unrest in Yemen fuelled by the Egyptian uprising

PanARMENIAN.Net - Hundreds of anti-government demonstrators and government loyalists fought with rocks and batons in the Yemeni capital on Feb 15 in political unrest fuelled by the Egyptian uprising.

About 1,000 protesters, marching down a street that leads to the presidential palace, were blocked by anti-riot police, a Reuters reporter said. As they dispersed into side streets, they were confronted by hundreds of government backers and both sides hurled rocks at each other.

Police managed to stamp out the fighting. Four of the anti-government protesters were wounded, the Reuters reporter said, two bleeding from head injuries.

"Ali, leave, leave, and take your sons with you!" protesters shouted, referring to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a U.S. ally against al Qaeda's Yemen-based wing.

Many expect Saleh, who has ruled this Arabian Peninsula state for 32 years, will hand power to his son, a charge he denies.

Organized protests across Yemen in recent weeks originally were divided between calls for reform and for Saleh to resign, Reuters reported

But since Egyptian protesters ousted their president on Friday, more spontaneous and violent protests have erupted in Yemen and demonstrators have been targeting Saleh, carrying posters that say "Leave," in Arabic, English and French.

Analysts doubt Yemen will see a quick, Egypt-style revolt. Any upheaval would likely unfold slowly and perhaps with more bloodshed in a country where half the population has a gun and tribal allegiances run strong.

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