Yemen's president said today the state of emergency following the deaths of dozens of demonstrators shot by security forces and pro-government gunmen at the end of Friday prayers. The Government asserts that there are 25 dead, but health officials say that at least 42 people have died and over 300 were injured.
The riots have occurred when trying to prevent the demonstrators opposed to President Ali Abdullah Saleh to leave the square which had gathered. The riots, which spread to other sectors of the capital, have started when opposition protesters tried to tear down a wall that had been raised by residents of homes near the University of Sana'a.
That wall was intended to prevent the installation of more tents in a place close to the university that has been dubbed Exchange Square. Many of the victims had gunshot wounds to the head and chest, according to witnesses who say the shots were fired by people dressed as civilians from rooftops near the entrance to the universities.
Political demonstrations in Yemen, the heat of the rebellions in Tunisia and Egypt, started on Jan. 27, but gained strength in mid-February. They are the most serious incidents reported since the outbreak of this wave of protests, which have so far left more than 70 people dead. The president has denied that the shooting was carried out by the police and pointed to clashes between the protesters themselves as the causes of the massacre.
In a press conference, Saleh lamented the death of these demonstrators of the opposition, which he described as "martyrs of democracy" and announced that the families of the deceased will be compensated financially by the State. After 32 years as head of state, his presidential term ends in 2013 and has already announced the start of the protests was not going to stand for reelection.
But after years of unfulfilled promises and lack of social progress in spite of all international aid, much of the population has decided they do not want to wait. Even under a state of emergency, citizens are forbidden to carry weapons. Yemen is the second country in the Gulf this week declaring an emergency.
Bahrain declared martial law on Tuesday, after a major operation to disrupt the protests at home against the reigning monarchy. 
The riots have occurred when trying to prevent the demonstrators opposed to President Ali Abdullah Saleh to leave the square which had gathered. The riots, which spread to other sectors of the capital, have started when opposition protesters tried to tear down a wall that had been raised by residents of homes near the University of Sana'a.
That wall was intended to prevent the installation of more tents in a place close to the university that has been dubbed Exchange Square. Many of the victims had gunshot wounds to the head and chest, according to witnesses who say the shots were fired by people dressed as civilians from rooftops near the entrance to the universities.
Political demonstrations in Yemen, the heat of the rebellions in Tunisia and Egypt, started on Jan. 27, but gained strength in mid-February. They are the most serious incidents reported since the outbreak of this wave of protests, which have so far left more than 70 people dead. The president has denied that the shooting was carried out by the police and pointed to clashes between the protesters themselves as the causes of the massacre.
In a press conference, Saleh lamented the death of these demonstrators of the opposition, which he described as "martyrs of democracy" and announced that the families of the deceased will be compensated financially by the State. After 32 years as head of state, his presidential term ends in 2013 and has already announced the start of the protests was not going to stand for reelection.
But after years of unfulfilled promises and lack of social progress in spite of all international aid, much of the population has decided they do not want to wait. Even under a state of emergency, citizens are forbidden to carry weapons. Yemen is the second country in the Gulf this week declaring an emergency.
Bahrain declared martial law on Tuesday, after a major operation to disrupt the protests at home against the reigning monarchy.
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