Yemeni defected army condemns killing protesters

Updated: 2011-10-16 08:02

(Xinhua)

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SANAA - Yemeni defected army condemned Saturday that the government opened fired at anti-government protesters in the capital that killed at least 12 protesters, calling the UN Security Council to "interfere in to save the pro- democracy movement."

"We called on the UN Security Council and leaders of the member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to take an action and put an end to Saleh's crimes against our people," according to a statement read by Askar Zeel, the official spokesperson of the defected army, and aired by Sanaa-based the opposition-run Suhail satellite TV channel.

The statement came hours after the government forces fired at a march of tens of thousands of protesters calling for ousting President Ali Abdullah Saleh, leaving at least 12 protesters dead and up to 90 others injured.

Meanwhile, the government troops and opposition armed tribesmen of tribal leader Sadiq al-Ahmar exchanged shellings in Hassaba, killing at least four civilians, including a 13-year-old boy and injured more than 20 civilians, according to medics and witnesses.

Security officials told Xinhua that shelling in Hassaba led the Sanaa Airport suspend departure flights and avert coming flights to land in southern Aden Airport.