Four people were killed and about 16 others, including soldiers, injured in the clashes Wednesday between the security forces and the fans of the southern anti-government movement in Yemen's southern province of Shabwa.
The Alsahwa website reported that the clashes erupted after large number of protestors entered the city of Ataq touring its streets and chanting anti-government and separatist slogans.
The security forces fired at the protestors immediately triggering a fire exchange by the protestors.
The result was that four citizens killed and some soldiers injured along with other citizens.
The security forces were placed on a high alert a day earlier in preparation to deal with any violence expected as the November 30th anniversary nears in the south.
Most of the south saw much violence this year, with separatists holding anti-government and anti-unity protests that turned violent.
And amid a persistent war with the rebels in the far north, the situation in the south remains worrying.