The move occurred amid escalated tension as both the government forces and the defected army are deploying more troops in major cities to cope with any possible clashes.

President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and fired to the air, according to eyewitnesses.

Similar anti-government marches were simultaneously staged in other major provinces, including Taiz, Al-Hodayda, Hajja, Dhamar, Ibb, Amran and Saada, according to several local witnesses.

The move came as part of escalating step announced by the opposition's National Committee for Peaceful Revolution Forces in order to exert pressure on Saleh to resign.

The government forces were on high alert as defected army began to deploy forces to the streets of Sanaa and other major cities since early September 3.

Later the next day, Mohammed Basindwah, chairman of the National Council, vowed to implement escalated protests against the government and warned that the opposition would not deal with the initiative brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) unless Saleh resigns first.