Medics: 2 protesters shot dead in Yemen

Medical officials in Yemen say two protesters were shot dead and more than 20 were wounded when security forces dispersed a demonstration in the southern port city of Aden.

Security officials say their forces prevented thousands of demonstrators from entering the main square today in a northeastern Aden neighbourhood by using tear gas, and water cannons.

They denied using bullets, though medical officials say those shot were hit with live ammunition.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they weren't authorised to speak to journalists.

A separatist movement that calls for southern Yemen to be an independent state organised the protests. It marked the two-year anniversary of the breakup of a demonstration that left eight dead.
 

North and South Yemen were separate countries for decades until unification in 1990.