Tens of thousands of protesters massed on Feb. 3 at Yemen's Sana'a University for a "day of rage" against Ali Abdullah Saleh's rule—while government loyalists flooded the city's central square in support of the embattled president. With Saleh supporters, some of them armed, taking over Tahrir Square the previous night, protest organizers were forced to change the planned venue of their demonstration. From early morning they drove through the streets publicizing the new site over megaphones, saying that "the men of the ruling party and their armed elements are holding Al-Tahrir."

Fighting between protesters and government loyalists raged into a second day in Egypt Feb. 3, with clashes continuing for control of Cairo's Tahrir Square. The Health Ministry said five people have been killed and 835 injured over the past 24 hours. Army troops finally moved in to create a buffer zone between the clashing demonstrators early in the day, but pro-regime militants later broke through the lines to hurl stones and protesters. Opposition leaders say they will go ahead with plans for a massive demonstration on Friday, their designated "departure day" for Mubarak.

Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh, facing growing demands that he step down, said Feb. 2 that he will drop constitutional changes that would allow him to be president for life. "No to hereditary rule and no to life presidency," Saleh said during an emergency session of parliament ahead of a "day of rage" civil society groups and opposition leaders have called. Saleh, whose term is due to end in 2013, urged an opposition alliance known as the Common Forum to halt its street protests. Four people have set themselves on fire in protests in Yemen over the past weeks.

Supporters of embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak—some on horses and camels and armed with whips—charged without warning into the ranks of opposition protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square Feb. 2, sparking running battles that have left hundreds injured and at least one dead. Both sides erected barricades and hurled stones, concrete and other missiles at each other. Government supporters on surrounding rooftops dropped Molotov cocktails on protesters below. Police fired tear gas at protesters, while seemingly leaving the rest to "unofficial" pro-Mubarak forces. Gunfire has been heard repeatedly, but it seems to be police firing into the air to intimidate protesters. The army, with a strong presence around the square, appeared not to interfere. Similar scenes are reported from Alexandria. The pro-government mobs are assumed to be organized by the ruling National Democratic Party, with a probable hand of the Mukhabarat secret police agency. (Middle East Online, AFP, Al-Masry al-Youm, BBC World Service, Feb. 2)

Several hundred thousand protesters filled Cairo's Tahrir Square in a eighth day of defiance of authorities Feb. 1, the biggest outpouring yet demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak. A second "march of a million" was held in Alexandria. There were no incidents of violence reported anywhere in the country; army tanks continued to surround Tahrir Square but again did not interfere with the massive protest. Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei said Friday Feb. 4 had been set as "departure day" for Mubarak, pledging that there would be no negotiations with the regime until the president "leaves." Chants of "Revolution! Revolution until victory!" filled the square.

Rulers in Arab capitals are taking moves to avert the emergence of mass revolutionary movements such as seen in Egypt and Tunisia. In Yemen, where protesters have called a "day of rage" for Feb. 3, President Ali Abdullah Saleh has increased wages and cut income taxes, and on Feb. 1 announced that will address a special meeting of the consultative council. Online activists have also called for a "day of rage" in Syria this week to demand the resignation of President Bashir Assad.

Thousands of angry protesters again filled Cairo's Tahrir Square in a seventh day of defiance of authorities Jan. 31, demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak. "We will stay in the square, until the coward leaves," the crowd chanted. The newly formed National Coalition for Change brings together pro-democracy advocates and the left as well as the banned Muslim Brotherhood. In a nod to the movement's power—and a worrying sign for Mubarak—the army issued a statement saying Egyptians' demands are legitimate, and vowing not to fire on protesters. An indefinite general strike has been declared, and a "march of a million" called for the following day.

Speaking before a sea of angry protesters on Cairo's Tahrir Square Jan. 30, dissident leader Mohamed ElBaradei hailed "a new Egypt in which every Egyptian lives in freedom and dignity." Empowered by the newly formed National Coalition for Change—bringing together several opposition movements including the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood—to negotiate with the regime, ElBaradei said: "We are on the right path, our strength is in our numbers. I ask you to be patient, change is coming." Government warplanes flew low over the gathered multitudes in a show of force, as the crowd defiantly responded "Mubarak, go to Saudi Arabia!" President Hosni Mubarak meanwhile met with army brass.