Street protests in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa have left scores of anti government protestors dead and hundreds injured after troops opened fire for a second consecutive day. The crowds, armed only with sticks, over ran a camp belonging to the elite Presidential Guard prompting the deadly response. Most of the deaths and injuries occurred on Hayel Street giving rise to claims that the gunfire was targeted for maximum effect and reports that anti aircraft weapons have been used on the crowd.
The protests have been going on since the Spring with a key demand being that Yemen's President Saleh should step down, end his 33 year control of the country and hand over power . Compromise proposals have been offered but the anti government protestors are adamant that only Saleh's removal from the country will satisfy them. To date this has ben offered 3 times but on each occasion the ruling president has reneged on his promises.