19 Sep 2011

Protesters killed in Yemen

3:52 pm on 19 September 2011

Doctors in Yemen say security forces opened fire on protesters in the capital Sanaa after they marched on the presidential palace calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down.

At least 26 people are reported to have been killed and hundreds wounded.

The clashes were the deadliest in Yemen for several months.

The ministry of defence says the trouble began when petrol bombs were thrown at security forces.

Witnesses say the security forces opened fire on the protesters after they left an encampment and marched towards the palace.

President Saleh is still in Saudi Arabia recovering from a bomb attack on him in June. He has been in power for 30 years.