Four killed during Yemen strike

ADEN: Two servicemen and two civilians were killed and another seven wounded in south Yemen during a shutdown called by anti-government protesters on Saturday, officials said.

The defence ministry said an officer and a soldier were killed and two more soldiers were wounded, but gave no further details. However, local officials said protesters opened fire on troops as they tried to dismantle roadblocks set up near Mansura to demonstrate against the regime of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. A civilian was wounded there, they said.

They said troops moved into the area from where they suspected the attack was launched and opened fire killing at least two civilians and wounding four more.

The casualties were taken to a hospital in Aden, the south's main port city, a medical source said.

Much of Aden was paralysed on Saturday following the strike call, local officials said.

Aden has been a hotbed of protests against Saleh who has been in power for 32 years. Four people were killed on Thursday and Friday in southern Yemen during clashes between security forces and suspected Al-Qaeda activists. (AFP)