SANAA, Yemen — Yemen has sent 2,000 policemen into the streets to try to put down days of protests against the U.S.-allied president of 32 years.
The policemen, including plainclothes officers, fired in the air and blocked thousands of students at Sanaa University from joining thousands of other protesters elsewhere in the capital. They are holding a sixth straight day of demonstrations.
Taking inspiration from the toppling of autocratic leaders in Egypt and Tunisia, Yemen's protesters are demanding political reforms and the ouster of President Ali Abbdullah Saleh.
Witnesses say at least four protesters were wounded in scuffles with police on Wednesday.
Yemen is a conflict-ridden and impoverished nation. Its president has cooperated with the U.S. in battling al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.
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