Plain-clothed gunmen opened fire on protesters in Yemen’s southern city of Taiz on Saturday, wounding at least 15 people.

Members of Yemen’s ruling party formed a new bloc on Monday to support protests against the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Opponents of Yemen’s President Saleh stepped up a campaign to force him out on Friday, but Saleh was defiant, urging opposition to join peace talks.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah said on Friday he was ready to cede power, the third Arab ruler who may be forced out by popular protests.

Yemeni forces on Saturday arrested a woman believed to be involved in sending explosive packages bound for the United States.

Yemen’s president has met a top US general to discuss boosting military cooperation, after Barack Obama tied al-Qaeda’s regional arm to terrorism.