Wednesday 10 November 2010

Thousands of separatists in south Yemen protest arrest of top figure in secessionist movement

Source: The Associated Press (CP),10/11/2010

SAN'A, Yemen — Thousands of separatists have marched through two cities in southern Yemen to demand authorities release a leader of the southern secessionist movement.

South Yemen was once a separate country, and simmering tensions there have compounded Yemen's troubles as it struggles with a resurgent al-Qaida offshoot.

A spokesman for the southern movement, Abdu al-Maatari, says around 5,000 protesters set fire to tires and blocked streets in the city of al-Dhale on Wednesday before security forces cleared the crowds.

A day earlier, authorities arrested 70-year-old Hassan Bamoum, leader of the southerners' main faction, The Supreme Council for the Peaceful Southern Movement. The reason for his arrest was not clear.
A second protest drew 3,000 demonstrators in the nearby city of Radfan

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