Shi'ite protesters clash with security forces in Yemen

2014-09-07 37

Protesters from a religous insurgent group, the Houthis, build tents in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on Sunday.

They want to cut off the road to the main airport and the interior ministry, as the army bombs their rebel positions in the north.

The demonstrations -- which have been going on for months -- quickly escalate into violence.

Houthi leader, Khaled al-Madani, says clashes will only strengthen their resolve.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HOUTHI LEADER, KHALED AL-MADANI, SAYING:

"Our reaction to the attack will be more escalation and more revolutionary activities to overthrow the government and achieve our goals".

Some fear for the stability of Yemen, which contains many of the same sectarian rifts that have set ablaze other Arab countries.

The Heaths -- which belong to a branch of Shi'ite Islam -- launched their uprising against Yemen's government in 2004.

The country is mostly Sunni.

Several bitter wars have been fought since.

The He

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