Timeline: Yemen’s uprising
A chronicle of countrywide protests against president Saleh, who has been in power over three decades.
Protests have continued across Yemen for weeks, seeking president Saleh’s resignation [GALLO/GETTY] |
January 27: The first major demonstration saw 16,000 protesters on the streets of Sanaa on 27th January, calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
February 2: President Saleh announced he would not run for re-election in 2013 and that he would not hand power to his son.
February 3: More than 20, 000 anti-government protesters gathered in Sanaa for a “day of rage” demanding president Saleh’s resignation.
February/March: Huge protests in the capital Sanaa and across the country continued despite the presidential announcement.
March 7: Reports of deaths and injuries after security forces open fire on detainees as they gathered in the prison’s courtyard in Sanaa to show their solidarity with the people who want to overthrow the government.
March 12: Crackdown on protesters leaves tens of people dead.
March 18: Armed men kill over 40 protesters in the capital. President Saleh announces a state of emergency.
March 20: President Saleh fired his entire cabinet. But even his own tribe calls for his resignation. Also the Yemen ambassador to the UN quit in protest at the use of force against protesters.
March 21: – Several top military commanders defect and troops and tanks are deployed in Sanaa to protect the anti-government protesters. Yemen’s ambassador to Syria also resigns from his post to support the anti-government movement demanding Saleh’s resignation.