First female protester killed as violence continues in Yemen

At least seven people are killed by forces loyal to Yemen's president, including the first female protester to die during the nine months of demonstrations.

Yemeni medics on Sunday rush a wounded Yemeni protester away from trouble following clashes with security forces in Sanaa as demonstrators demanded president Ali Abdullah Saleh quit.

SANAA //At least seven people were killed yesterday by forces loyal to Yemen’s president, including the first female protester to die during the nine months of demonstrations against the regime.

In Sanaa, soldiers and armed supporters loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh killed four protesters during a demonstration where many protesters carried red flowers to signal they intended to conduct a peaceful protest.

A spokesman for the opposition said that 10 soldiers who defected were killed over Saturday and yesterday. That includes two who were slain yesterday afternoon during fighting. More than 57 other protesters were wounded in the clashes, said Dr Mohammed Al Qubati, the coordinator at a makeshift field hospital near Change Square in Sanaa.

The female protester was killed during a large protest in Taiz.

Dr Al Qubati said some protesters in Sanaa were hit by rocket-propelled grenades and anti-aircraft weapons.

"At least 12 cases are in a critical condition," Dr Al Qubati said.

The shooting in Sanaa erupted along the dividing line between parts of the capital held by Saleh forces and those controlled by soldiers under the command of General Ali Mohsen Al Ahmar, who defected from the Saleh regime.

"We will not be scared by your artillery and tanks. We will prosecute the killers," the protesters chanted.

Protest activists and witnesses said snipers on rooftops and security forces opened fire on the crowd of tens of thousands of demonstrators, marching through the streets as they were carrying red flowers and chanting "peaceful … peaceful".

"We were protesting peacefully," said Ahmed Saeed, a demonstrator.

After the protesters marched, fighting began between troops of the First Armored Division, who defected from the regime, and forces loyal to Mr Saleh.

At least two soldier who defected were killed in the battle. There was no available information on casualties to the forces loyal to Mr Saleh.

The renewed violence comes one day after Mr Saleh's forces and armed supporters shot dead at least 12 protesters in Sanaa.

Meanwhile, Mr Saleh met with his top security and military commanders yesterday and accused his opponents of trying to carry out a coup.

The foreign minister, Abu Bakr Al Qirbi, attended the meeting and said Mr Saleh updated the commanders on diplomatic matters.

Vice President Abdurabu Mansur Hadi, who served as acting president during Mr Saleh's absence, did not attend. His absence indictates that government power now lies in the hands of the military.

The UN Security Council is scheduled in the coming days to discuss a resolution to force Mr Saleh to implement the Gulf-brokered deal which calls for him to step down and transfer power to his deputy in return for immunity from prosecution for his family and inner circle. Mr Saleh has baulked several times at signing the deal.

Mr Saleh lashed out at most of the ambassadors of the UN Security Council permanent members, accusing them of listening only to the opposition. He complimented China and Russia, saying they were not "prejudiced" like the rest of the members.

"We welcome peaceful protests but we cannot accept armed protests," Mr Saleh was quoted by the state Saba news agency as saying. He blamed Gen Al Ahmar for the civil war in 1994 and the fight against the Shiite Houthi insurgents which erupted in 2004.

Mr Saleh said his opponents will fail to drive him out.

"They will depart by the end as those who betray the country and the revolution," he said.

Protesters vowed to continue their demonstrations despite the danger.

"We announced the route of our protests and carry roses to hand to the soldiers to show our marches are peaceful. We also call on the local and international media to accompany our marches to be a witness on our peacefulness. However, we are faced with brutal violence," said Manee Al Matari, a leader in the youth-led protest movement.

"We will continue with our protests regardless of how many the regime kills. We believe our peaceful protests are the only way to bring down this regime," said Mr Al Matari.

Mr Al Matari said the Organising Committee of the Popular Youth Revolution, called for "millions" of protests by women across the country today. He said that women in Sanaa will stage a massive rally in front of the foreign ministry which is under the control of Saleh troops.

In Taiz, armed men in plain clothes fired on thousands of protesters, said medics and activists. Activists said Azizah Abdu Othman, 52, was shot in the head and died, the first female protester to be slain during the uprising.

Violent protests have mounted after Mr Saleh returned last month from Saudi Arabia where he was recovering from wounds sustained during a June assassination attempt.