Forces ‘fire on Yemen protesters’

Houthi rebels in north Yemen say the armed forces have fired on their anti-government protest.

The Shia rebels claim two people were killed and at least seven were injured in the incident in the northern province of Amran, reports say.

There have been many anti-government protests in recent weeks, mainly focused in cities of Sanaa and Aden.

Demonstrators want the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled since 1978.

Thousands of people are reported to have gathered in the town of Harf Sufyan for a peaceful protest, calling for political change and an end to corruption.

A rebel spokesman told Reuters news agency that the military had fired rockets at protesters from an army base.

The government and the Houthi rebels, members of the Zaidi Shia sect, have been observing a truce, although there are occasional clashes.

The Houthi announced their support last month for anti-government protests which have been inspired by the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.

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