Nine dead and scores injured following battle in Yemen

YEMENI forces opened fire on demonstrators in three cities yesterday, killing at least nine and wounding scores in escalating bloodshed that could ramp up public fury at President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s refusal to step down.

In the capital Sana’a, forces fired on a crowd of tens of thousands marching to the cabinet building. At least six demonstrators died and around 100 were wounded, said a doctor heading a makeshift clinic for wounded protesters at the scene.

Crowds have lost patience with stalled negotiations to end Saleh’s 33-year rule, and violence is surging in the country.