2 protesters, 3 soldiers killed in fire exchange in south Yemen

An outbreak of fire exchange between anti-government protesters with guns and security forces killed at least two protesters and three soldiers Thursday in Yemen's southern province of Taiz, witnesses told Xinhua.

The protesters from local tribes for the first time carried weapons in the demonstration and marched to repel attacks by police, Abdull Rahman al-Azragi, a local resident, told Xinhua.

The security forces used live bullets to disperse thousands of protesters in Jamal street, Rahman said.

The armed tribesmen vowed to protect anti-government protesters from security forces attacks, he added.

Taiz province witnessed deadly crackdown by government forces, resulting in killing and injuring of dozens of protesters.

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