Eleven protesters were killed during demonstrations in Sanaa and Taiz Wednesday, when Yemeni security forces in both cities opened fire using live ammunition.
Doctors and eyewitnesses in both cities tell that at least 169 people have been injured, some critically.
"Shots are heard everywhere in Sanaa," a witness told reprters.
Journalists and medical sources say eight people were killed in the capital when Republican guards began shooting directly at demonstrators in the east and north parts of Change Square. At least 65 people were injured, the sources say, 12 critically. They added that more than 100 additional people suffered injuries from rocks or batons.
"Security forces are aiming for a massacre in Sanaa," said Abdul Wahab Anesi, a medical staff spokesman at a field hospital set up in Change Square.
Before Republican Guards began firing at protesters in the square, they reportedly clashed with military personnel who had been protecting demonstrators gathered there. Journalists, medical sources and eyewitnesses tell CNN that these soldiers defected two months ago along with Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar.
In addition to the casualties in the capital, three people were killed and four others were reported critically injured in Taiz.
"The attack took place while we were chanting, 'One more week left for you, Saleh,' " said Sabir Ali, a protester in Taiz. The protesters were giving President Ali Abdullah Saleh a week to step down, saying if he does not, they will make good on a vow to march to the presidential palace.
Earlier, a senior security official denied that forces fired on protesters in Taiz.
"Security forces were preventing attacks on civilians led by gangs of the opposition," the official said. "Security forces did not shoot at protesters. Gangs of the JMP were the shooters." The JMP stands for the joint meeting parties, a coalition of opposition parties.
"Security forces kill people, then deny the incident," said Ahmad Bahri, head of the political office at the opposition Haq party. "This is why the Yemeni revolution is taking place."
He said the protesters were unarmed and were marching peacefully when they were shot. Those who died were shot in the head, Bahri said.
Civil disobedience was also seen in the cities of Abyan, Aden, Ibb, Hodeida and Amran, according to reports.
Protesters calling themselves Revolution Youth had called for a civil disobedience day on Wednesday. More than 95% of the shops in Taiz were closed, according to eyewitnesses.
On Monday, medical officials said at least six people were killed and hundreds wounded when teachers -- accompanied by opponents of Saleh's government -- demonstrated against salary cuts. Witnesses said security forces opened fire on the protesters and dispersed marchers with batons and tear gas before shooting at them.
Doctors and eyewitnesses in both cities tell that at least 169 people have been injured, some critically.
"Shots are heard everywhere in Sanaa," a witness told reprters.
Journalists and medical sources say eight people were killed in the capital when Republican guards began shooting directly at demonstrators in the east and north parts of Change Square. At least 65 people were injured, the sources say, 12 critically. They added that more than 100 additional people suffered injuries from rocks or batons.
"Security forces are aiming for a massacre in Sanaa," said Abdul Wahab Anesi, a medical staff spokesman at a field hospital set up in Change Square.
Before Republican Guards began firing at protesters in the square, they reportedly clashed with military personnel who had been protecting demonstrators gathered there. Journalists, medical sources and eyewitnesses tell CNN that these soldiers defected two months ago along with Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar.
In addition to the casualties in the capital, three people were killed and four others were reported critically injured in Taiz.
"The attack took place while we were chanting, 'One more week left for you, Saleh,' " said Sabir Ali, a protester in Taiz. The protesters were giving President Ali Abdullah Saleh a week to step down, saying if he does not, they will make good on a vow to march to the presidential palace.
Earlier, a senior security official denied that forces fired on protesters in Taiz.
"Security forces were preventing attacks on civilians led by gangs of the opposition," the official said. "Security forces did not shoot at protesters. Gangs of the JMP were the shooters." The JMP stands for the joint meeting parties, a coalition of opposition parties.
"Security forces kill people, then deny the incident," said Ahmad Bahri, head of the political office at the opposition Haq party. "This is why the Yemeni revolution is taking place."
He said the protesters were unarmed and were marching peacefully when they were shot. Those who died were shot in the head, Bahri said.
Civil disobedience was also seen in the cities of Abyan, Aden, Ibb, Hodeida and Amran, according to reports.
Protesters calling themselves Revolution Youth had called for a civil disobedience day on Wednesday. More than 95% of the shops in Taiz were closed, according to eyewitnesses.
On Monday, medical officials said at least six people were killed and hundreds wounded when teachers -- accompanied by opponents of Saleh's government -- demonstrated against salary cuts. Witnesses said security forces opened fire on the protesters and dispersed marchers with batons and tear gas before shooting at them.
Saleh's impoverished and unstable nation has been wracked by anti-government protests and clashes between demonstrators and security forces for many weeks.
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