SANAA, Yemen - A medical official says two protesters have been shot and killed in anti-government protests in southern Yemen.
The hospital official said the deaths occurred Wednesday during demonstrations in the town of Sadr, located in the province of Lahaj. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.
Witnesses said security forces fired tear gas and shot at hundreds of protesters, and the demonstrators responded by setting three of their vehicles on fire.
Yemen has seen large protests in recent weeks demanding the ouster of longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a weak but important U.S. ally in the fight against al Qaeda. Key tribal allies of Saleh have also joined the protests.
