SANAA, Yemen, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- At least two people were killed Thursday as separatists in southern Yemen protested this month's presidential election, witnesses said.
Hundreds of people participated in the march in the city of Dhale, CNN reported. Witnesses said they were from the Southern Movement, which wants an independent South Yemen and sees the election scheduled for Feb. 21 as likely to prevent that.
The violence reportedly began when gunmen participating in the march fired at a government elections building. Two security officials told CNN that a child was killed by a stray bullet and another person also died while 20 people were injured.
Vice President Abdurabu Mansur Hadi, who has already assumed the powers of the presidency, is the only candidate running Feb. 21. President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who had been president since North and South Yemen were united in 1990, has promised to step down.
