Seven protesters were killed and 22 others wounded on Wednesday by government forces’ gunfire in the city of Ataq, the capital of Shabwa governorate, during a demonstration by supporters of the Southern Transitional Council.

Eyewitnesses reported that forces opened fire on protesters while they were gathered in front of the local authority headquarters.

Southern Transitional Council President Aidrous al-Zubaidi called for the continuation of peaceful protests amid rising political and security tensions in southern Yemen.