Apr 06 2011
Democracy in the News 7: Protests in Yemen
As the pro-democracy sentiment sweeps the Middle East, anti-government protesters have begun gathering in Yemen.
They have been gathering in an attempt to get president Ali Abdullah Saleh to resign after three decades in power. However, on Monday security forces gunned down protesters in Taiz, killing at least 15 people and wounding many more. The opposition leaders have called this a true “massacre” which happened after protesters attempted to storm a government building.
The BBC reports that while security forces have shot warning shots into the air to calm protesters, this incident was different because many had injuries on their chests, necks and heads prompting a doctor who examined the protesters to believe they were deliberately shot.
In Hudaida, witnesses have claimed that they saw security forces with snipers on the rooftops as well as security officials dressed in civilian clothing shooting at the crowds. Many protesters have regarded the incident as increased aggression from the government but they do plan on backing down. The unrest in Yemen is escalating and it is a matter of time that Saleh steps down.
I’m wondering what will happen to the rest of the Middle East. Will more governments fall due to the pro-democracy revolutions? And will only some move towards democracy?