Unrest

Protests Turn Violent in Yemen

Security forces were told not to attack.

More reports of violence: As hundreds of anti-government demonstrators marched toward the Egyptian embassy in Yemen, security forces began attacking civilians. At least nine protesters were injured with batons in the capital city of Sana'a, and witnesses said that famed human-rights activist Abdul Hadi al-Azazi was arrested on Saturday. A government spokesperson said that the clash did not involve security forces, but was rather a dispute between pro-government and anti-government protesters in the same march. The spokesperson also stated that strict orders were given not to touch the demonstrators, even as marchers began to verbally abuse security officers. The protests were much smaller compared to the demonstrations in Egypt and Tunisia, but are still calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down. Meanwhile, students in Khartoum, Sudan, threw rocks at police during a protest inspired by events in Egypt.