Yemen protests draw thousands in Sanaa

Thousands marched in Yemen's capital Sanaa on Thursday, calling for the president of the last three decades to leave office, in scenes similar to those that forced Tunisia's president from office earlier this month.

The protesters, like those across the Arab world over the past week, are angry about rising poverty and lack of political reform.

There were at least four demonstrations Thursday in Sanaa, local journalists told CNN. Security was out in force, but there were no reports of violence.

A much smaller number of people reportedly turned out to demonstrate in favor of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

On Jan. 14, thousands of Tunisians angered by years of oppression under the regime of Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, took to the streets, resulting in deadly clashes with security forces and forcing Ben Ali and several members of his family fled the country.

Since then, civil unrest has erupted in countries, some of which have been under authoritarian rule for decades, all over the Middle East and North Africa, namely Libya, Algeria, Jordan, Yemen, Albania, Lebanon and Egypt.

Yemenis first took to the streets over the past weekend, In response, the president made a number of concessions, including releasing a rights activist from prison, announcing plans to raise the salaries of government employees and military personnel by almost $50, and issuing a public denial that he is grooming his son to take over power.

Tensions reached a boiling point in Yemen on Sunday when plain-clothed police officers arrested Tawakul Karman, a female activist responsible for organizing the uprising, in the early hours of the morning while driving home with her husband.

Authorities released Karman on Monday with a commitment from her family that “she will no longer offend public order and law.”

Yemen has become a key American ally in the fight against Al Qaeda, with Yemeni security forces carrying out offensives against suspected Qaeda militants.

The United States has sent top officials to Yemen and vowed support for the government's fight against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, as the local branch calls itself.

On Thursday, protests were staged by the opposition group Common Forum.

"Enough being in power for [over] 30 years," the chanted, according to Agence France-Presse.

They also referred to the ouster of Tunisian president Ben Ali, saying he was "gone in just [over] 20 years."

"No to extending [presidential tenure]. No to bequeathing [the presidency]," they chanted, insisting that it was "time for change."

"Common Forum go ahead. It is time for change," proclaimed banners.