Amidst calls for southern secession; security forces kill protesters
After the funeral, the southern movement supporters headed to Martyrs Square demanding that the security personnel occupying the square leave. However, the Central Security Forces repelled them by opening fire and killing two. Other sources said three were killed; including a child taking part in the protest.
Nine of the protesters were injured, two of them seriously. Abdulrahman Al-Khadir was one of the injured. All the dead and wounded were taken to Al-Nakeeb Hospital.
Mohammed Ali, a southern movement activist, said thousands of young people took part in the funeral march in preparation for a demonstration demanding that security forces leave the square, as well as calling for secession from the north. The southern movement supporters hold the local authority and security forces responsible for the attacks they have been subject to. They have called for President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Al-Hadi to intervene and resolve the issue.
Muath Khan, an activist, said security forces and armored vehicles surrounded Martyrs Square. The security forces burned the flag of the former People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, an independent country before unification. They also destroyed the southern martyrs’ photo exhibition.
He went on to say that clashes in the last week have resulted in eight deaths and many more injured. He said that protests will carry on until the southern issues are resolved. He also said that the killing will not deter them from their demands.
Waleed Al-Laseesi, head of the Fact Finding Committee, criticized the stance of the minister of the human rights for the violations that occurred last year during the popular uprising.
Mohammed Ali, said that confrontations between security forces and the youth will continue as long as the former control Martyrs Square.
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