Fights Break Out Among Yemen Protesters

Hundreds of demonstrators supporting Yemen’s government attacked hundreds more opposing it in the capital today, as the protests in the volatile Arab nation entered their fourth day. Government supporters fought with students who were staging a sit-in at Sana University, beating them with sticks near the main school’s main gate, the New York Times reports. Police had to step in to separate the sides.

The fight followed a shouting match. “The people want to expel Ali Saleh!” the students cried, while the other side chanted, in the same rhythm, “The people want to start dialogue!” Similar fights broke out in the southern city of Taiz, where thousands of anti-government protesters had demonstrated overnight. Police fired shots into the air, but were unable to stop the fighting. (More Yemen protests stories.)