At least 85 antigovernment protesters were kidnapped by the republican guards and the central security forces after the deadly crackdown on a massive demonstration calling for the ouster of the regime in Yemen's capital Sana'a on Wednesday.

Activists and lawyers said that military vehicles were seen picking the protesters after the carnage that left 12 dead and scores injured when the forces fired live bullets and teargas at the hundreds of thousands and beat them with traditional daggers, Jambyas, and knives.

The patrols were said to have taken the protesters, including some of those who were injured, to Al-Thawra stadium near the incident site, and some of the wounded were besieged, they said.

Eyewitnesses also said that the forces prevented the people from helping the injured leaving them bleeding on the street.

"Some tried to help, but the forces fired live bullets at them forcing them to run away," they added.