Yemen Quells Fuel Riots After 3 Days

Yemeni cities remained calm on Sunday after two days of unrest and violent protests that had claimed the lives of 22 people and left 375 injured, according to the Ministry of Interior.

However, eyewitnesses and local media reported that demonstrations against a sharp rise in the price of oil products had left at least 50 dead and hundreds injured, in addition to bringing many arrests.

Clashes broke out in several cities across the country last week following the government's decision on Tuesday to cut subsidies on oil products.

The government said it was forced to do so to tackle a ballooning budget deficit brought on by the rising price of crude oil on international markets.

Fuel prices at petrol stations in Yemen doubled to $7 per gallon.

In a country where 42 percent of the population lives on under $2 per day, according to World Bank figures, people said they simply could not afford those prices.

"This is a crazy decision. I cannot pay 1,300 riyals [$7] for 20 litres of petrol," said Mohammed Ali, an angry protestor. "I will have to park my car at home or sell it. People are very poor and can no longer afford any price hikes."

Security forces backed by tanks clamped down on protesters across Yemen on Friday, deploying around mosques and government buildings in the capital, Sana.

Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh condemned the riots and pledged on Saturday that the "troublemakers" who incited the violence would be caught.

"All the troublemakers and those who are behind them must be pursued and punished," he said. "Looting public and private properties and destabilizing society have nothing to do with democracy and freedom of speech."

Saleh said the government would reconsider the cut in oil product subsidies, but did not specify when or how.

Some protests continued on Saturday but there were no reports of casualties.

The situation was returning to normal on Sunday as shopkeepers opened their doors again, some for the first time in days. Tanks and armored vehicles that had been deployed on the streets were gone, but a heavy security presence could be seen near the main military compound in Sana.

Some local people were back on the streets on Sunday, but many were still too afraid to leave their homes.

In the governorate of Marib, 173 km northeast of Sana, over the weekend, tribesmen blocked a main road linking the oil-rich area of Saffer to Sana, preventing gas tankers from travelling to the capitol. They were also reported to be protesting at higher gas prices.

"I have been waiting for a cylinder of gas since the early morning, but the shop has not opened," said 12-year-old Najeeb al-Hamadi. "They should at least secure us gas, even if I have to pay $8 instead of $2. They are blackmailing us."

Oil ministry officials confirmed that supplies had failed to reach Sana due to the blockade, but said the problem would soon be resolved.