SANAA, Yemen — Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis demonstrated in nearly every major city of the country on Tuesday, demanding trial for the family and close aides of the ailing president.They were the largest protests since President Ali Abdullah Saleh went abroad for medical treatment for injuries suffered in an attack on his compound. Some of Saleh’s family and closest aides remained behind, and Yemen remains locked in a power struggle between the president’s allies and tribesmen demanding an end to the regime’s nearly 33-year rule.
On Tuesday, tens of thousands of young people crowded outside the home of acting president Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who assumed power when Saleh left. The crowd vowed to stay outside Hadi’s home — which is protected by special forces led by Saleh’s son — until their demands were met.
Many in SalehÂ’s inner circle remain in positions of power, including his son Ahmed, who commands the special forces and YemenÂ’s Republican Guard. Hadi role in the power struggle is unclear, but he has met with the opposition, suggesting heÂ’s willing to exercise some constitutional authority.
Some in the crowd of young people said Hadi “shoulders the legal and ethical responsibility of any crimes that might be committed by Saleh’s sons or the regime’s remnants.” They said they would not negotiate with anyone in the regime.
There were similar demonstrations in Hadramawt, Hodeida, Ibb, Damar and Saada.
In Taiz, YemenÂ’s second-largest city and the site of major protests, demonstrators clashed with Republican Guard units guarding the cityÂ’s presidential palace and several ambulances were seen rushing to the area. There were no official casualty reports.