In Yemen, the continuing opposition to the government of Ali Abdullah Saleh by protesters in the capital was exacerbated on March 18 when security forces opened fire on a crowd and killed at least 50. The outrage and further protests around the country resulted in violence and a breakdown in security in several northern and southern provinces.
When security forces abandoned an arms factory in the Abyan province, over 100 people were killed on March 28 in an explosion that occurred as it was being looted.