Yemenis hold first public Ashura commemorations in 50 yrs

Yemenis have held their first public commemorations of the anniversary of the martyrdom of grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, Imam Hussein, in the capital Sana’a in half a century.

This year’s Ashura ceremonies are the first to take place in Yemen since 1962 when the country’s 1,000-year Zaydi Imamate rule was overthrown in a coup.

Ashura marks the day when Imam Hussein, along with 72 of his companions, was martyred in a battle against the second Umayyad caliph in Karbala, Iraq, in seventh century.

On Saturday, at least four Yemenis were killed and 13 others were wounded in a bomb attack targeting a procession for Ashura in Sana’a.

Many Yemenis have also made use of the occasion and took to the streets to protest against US assassination drone attacks in their country and condemned Washington’s interference in their country’s internal affairs.

Yemeni demonstrators also demand the prosecution of deposed ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh and his aides over the killing of demonstrators during a year of anti-regime demonstration against his rule.

They also called for the removal of Saleh loyalists from power positions.

Yemenis say there will be no improvement in the country as long as Saleh loyalists and his family members are in control of power positions in the government, the military and security apparatus.