SANAA, 4 April 2011 (IRIN) - More than 300 people have reportedly been killed and several hundred others injured in nationwide protests against the rule of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh over the past two months. Below is a timeline of key events from 11 March to the present:
[Timeline of 2011 protests upto 10th March 2011]
11 March: Tens of thousands of people take to streets of the capital, Sana'a. Counter-demonstrations involve opponents and proponents of an offer made by Saleh the previous day for a new constitution and parliamentary system. Hundreds of thousands of opponents rally in Taiz, Aden and other major cities.
12 March: At least 14 injured after "thugs" open fire on anti-government protesters in Taiz. In Mukalla, Hadhramaut Governorate, a high school student is shot dead and five others injured after an anti-government protest is attacked by security forces.
13 March: Six anti-government protesters killed and another 34 injured in Sana'a, Taiz and Aden after being attacked by undercover police. Islamic Cleric Sheikh Abdulmajid al-Zindani, who supports the anti-government uprising, leaves Sana'a for Arhab and calls on the army and security forces to disobey orders from their commanders to kill citizens.
14 March: Some 77 injured in anti-government protests in Sana'a, al-Jawf and Marib; five killed in an anti-government protest in Aden. Major tribes from the Bakil tribal confederation, led by Sheikh Amin al-Ukaimi, announce their support for the "Youth Revolution".
15 March: Fourteen of the 18 local council members in Aden Governorate resign from their posts and the ruling General People Congress party (GPC) in protest against "excessive use of violence" against protesters in Aden.
16 March: At least 200 injured in clashes between police and anti-government protesters in Hodeidah Governorate.
17 March: Eight anti-government protesters and three soldiers killed in clashes in al-Jawf and Mareb governorates. As many as 80 anti-government protesters injured in Sana'a. Human rights activists accuse security forces of using poisonous gas against protesters.
18 March: Some 52 protesters shot dead and more than 250 injured in Sana'a on the "Friday of Dignity" when pro-government snipers fired at protesters from the rooftops of nearby buildings. Mohammed al-Sabri, a leader in the opposition Joint Meeting Parties (JMP), describes the event as an "unprecedented massacre". Saleh declares a state of emergency.
21 March: Senior military commanders including Gen Ali Mohsen Saleh, commander of the Northwestern Military Zone; Gen Mohammed Ali Mohsen, commander of the Eastern Military Zone; Brig Hamid al-Qushaibi, commander of the Amran-based 310 Division, declare their support for the "Youth Revolution". Yemen's ambassadors in 18 countries resign.
24 March: Saleh proposes an early presidential election before the end of 2011, promising that neither he, nor his son Ahmad, will run for president. Gen Dhahi Khalfan, commander of Dubai police, announces that an attempt to smuggle a consignment of 16,000 pistols into Yemen via Dubai, has been thwarted.
25 March: Hundreds of thousands of protesters take to the streets on the "Friday of Departure". Speaking to a rally of loyalists in front of the presidential palace in Sana'a, Saleh says: "I will hand power only to safe hands to be selected by the people of Yemen."
26 March: Saleh and his opponents reach an agreement under which the former hands over power to a vice-president named by Saleh, other than current Vice-President Abdurabu Mansour Hadi.
27 March: Opposition leader Sheikh Hamid al-Ahmar announces that Saleh has breached the agreement and refused to hand over power as agreed. Saleh deploys contingents of the Republican Guards, led by his son Ahmad, in several parts of Sana'a.
28 March: An explosion at a munitions factory outside Jaar town, Abyan Governorate, kills 150 and injures about 100 others just one day after it was taken over by armed militants. Nasser Abu Sabaa, a tribal leader from Abyan, tells IRIN that what caused the blast is still unknown.
1 April: Hundreds of thousands take to the streets of main cities in more than 15 governorates on what they call the "Friday of Deliverance". Pro-government supporters hold a rally in front of the presidential palace in Sana'a on what they call the "Friday of Solidarity" to prevent any potential advancement of anti-government protesters. Speaking to his loyalists, Saleh says" "I will do my best for your sake. I will sacrifice my blood for the sake of Yemeni people."
3 April: One killed, dozens injured as police try to disperse a demonstration heading towards the governorate administrative HQ in Taiz. Civil disobedience implemented [A CURFEW IS IMPOSED????] in Aden city.
4 April: At least 10 protesters killed and over 50 others injured as allegedly government-paid snipers open fire on demonstrators besieging the governorate administrative HQ in Taiz.
Related report:
Dialogue prospects diminish, as government faces mounting defections
Sources:
ay/cb
[END]