Clashes Kill 8 in Yemeni Capital

Sana'a, October 17, 2011- Clashes between troops loyal to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and opposition forces have killed at least eight people in the capital, Sana'a.

Medical personnel said at least three of those killed in Monday's fighting were in the city's Change Square, which has served as a center of anti-government protests. The other victims were killed in overnight clashes around Sana'a.

The clashes come a day after loyalist forces shot at protesters in the capital, killing four. Activists there said tens of thousands of people gathered Sunday to call for the president's resignation.

There were also reports that forces in the southern city of Taiz killed one person.

Saleh has remained in office despite 10 months of mass demonstrations against his 33-year rule.

Saleh repeated in a speech earlier this month that he will not hand power to long-time rivals from the opposition parties. He said they have hijacked the youth activists' protest that began earlier this year and aim to "destroy the country."