Pro-regime forces kill 20 in Yemen's capital

[September 19, 2011]  SANAA, Yemen (AP) -- Medical officials in Yemen say at least 20 people have been killed by snipers and other pro-regime forces in the capital, Sanaa.

Monday's killings take to nearly 50 the number of people killed by government forces and snipers since Sunday night. It is the bloodiest assault in months on demonstrators calling for the president's ouster.

The officials say most of the 20 killed were on Sanaa's central Hayel street. They included a child and at least three soldiers who defected to join the protesters. They say three other protesters were wounded Monday by sniper fire near Sanaa University.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the information.

___

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.
AP's earlier story is below.

___

SANAA, Yemen (AP) -- Medical officials in Yemen say eight people have been killed by pro-regime snipers firing from rooftops in the capital, Sanaa.

Monday's killings take to at least 35 the number of protesters killed by government forces since Sunday night. It is the bloodiest assault in months on demonstrators calling for the president's ouster.

The officials say the eight were shot by snipers on Sanaa's central Hayel street. They included a child and two soldiers who defected to join the protesters. They say three other protesters were wounded Monday by sniper fire near Sanaa University. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the information.

[Associated Press; By AHMED AL-HAJ]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.