The latest wave of the bloodshed that has taken place in Yemen since September 18 shows the country’s hated President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, has no intention of leaving power peacefully.
At least 35 people were killed and many more were wounded in government attempts to crack down on protesters between October 15 and 18, The Guardian said on October 18.
Government forces also battled tribal fighters and defected soldiers loyal to anti-Saleh political forces.
At least 1480 people have been killed since the pro-democracy uprising began in February, Sacbee.com said on October 19.
Tens of thousands of protesters braved sniper fire, tear gas and water cannon on October 18, The Guardian said.
Saleh again refused to leave power on October 19, demanding unspecified “guarantees” from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the European Union and the United States.
Saleh has repeatedly backed out of a GCC plan for a transition of power to his deputy. Under the plan, Saleh would be immune from prosecution for the crimes of his regime, including the violence against democracy protesters, Al Jazeera said on October 19.
Since February, there have been huge mobilisations involving hundreds of thousands calling for an end to his brutal regime.