A retired General has died from his injuries that he got as the police in Yemen's southern province of Dhale clashed with armed protesters demanding the release of political prisoners, and who were protesting in solidarity with the Al-Ayyam Newspaper.

Informed sources said Gen. Mahmoud Mohamed Ali passed away in hospital.

Another 19 people were hurt including 9 soldiers in Wednesday's protest that turned violent with the demonstrators exchanging fire with the security forces.

The injured troops were ambushed at the entry of the province and reported to be in critical condition that they were transported to the capital for special treatments.

Independent sources reported that the protestors, coming from the outskirts of the province, fired on the police when they were prevented from entering the city.

No official comments on the victims were available, with the authorities only accusing the followers of southern MPs of attacking governmental institutions, bringing down national flags, committing banditry and invoking the police.

Many security patrols were seen in the city on Wednesday morning patrolling the streets, amid precautions to prevent any violence by the fans of the Southern Movement.

And independent sources also cited officials as saying many arrests took place as the police tried to control the situation.

Dhale is a Yemen's southern province which saw much violence this year as the locals took to the streets demanding more rights and reforms.

Some people were killed and others were hurt as protests turned into violent with the people clashing with the security forces.

Mass arrests took place in the south this year as several cities saw violence and anti-unity protests.

Some papers including Al-Ayyam were suspended as the government accused them of propagating secessionism and anti-government slogans.