Islamic Republic of Iran Condemns Yemeni Regime’s Violence against Protesters

Iran on Sunday condemned the Yemeni regime for its violent crackdown on peaceful protesters, and voiced concern about ongoing incidents in the Arab state amid people’s demand for resignation of unpopular President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

According to a report by the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press Bureau, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast blasted the Yemeni regime’s use of semi-heavy weaponries and poison gas to clamp down on peaceful protests.

Mehman-Parast voiced deep concern about the recent developments in Yemen and condemned the violent suppression of people.

“Such measures will complicate the situation,” he stated, adding, “The only solution to the crisis is providing a peaceful response to the Yemeni people’s legitimate demands,” Mehman-Parast underscored.

He also blasted international organizations and circles for their silence on the incidents in Yemen.

On Saturday, Yemeni police shot dead 12 people and injured dozens of others as they opened fire on demonstrators in Sana’a demanding President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s resignation, medics said.

Security forces on Saturday used live rounds, semi-heavy weaponries, tear gas, poison gas and water cannon to try to disperse hundreds of thousands of Saleh opponents trying to march on loyalist areas of the city center from their Change Square stronghold, witnesses said.

The death toll went up to at least 12 according to several medics as bodies were taken to four different hospitals.