Three people were killed and many others injured when pro-government gunmen, believed to be from the republican guard, fired at hundreds of antigovernment protesters while walking in the funeral of a protester.

The gunmen sniped the three and injured more than 20 others in Al-Odein district, but the protesters were said to have arrested five of the snipers, as millions of Yemeni people prayed Friday on the streets in most of the cities demanding an immediate exit of the regime.

In his speech to his supporters in the capital Sana'a, President Saleh warned the opposition against playing with fire and that the armed forces and his supporters will face the antigovernment protesters, after he accused the opposition and the protesters of sabotage and conspiring.

He attacked the opposition addressing them:" Stop playing with fire, the Joint Meeting Parties. The Yemeni people and army all over the country will stand up to you."

On Thursday, the Defense Ministry said that the security forces were given orders to deter destructive protesters, saying the forces should not hesitate to maintain security and stability in the country with any means.

You are continuing the attacks against the public facilities and killing innocents. What you are doing is sabotage, he said, adding that those who want power should reach it through the right ways including the ballot boxes.

"No to killings and no to road closures and depriving the people from daily needs such as gas. I urge you to come back to the dialogue table, otherwise, the Yemeni people and army will face saboteurs with all strength they have," he said.

In the last few days, many antigovernment protesters have been killed and thousands of others injured when the security forces stepped up the crackdown on protests in some cities including the capital Sana'a.

The violence drew international condemnation and triggered the UN to form a panel to investigate the killings in Yemen.