an amnesty. September - President Saleh wins another term in elections. 2007 January-March - Scores are killed or wounded in clashes between security forces and al-Houthi rebels in the north. 2007 June - Rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi accepts a ceasefire. July - Suicide bomber attacks a tourist convoy killing eight Spaniards and two Yemenis in the province of Marib. August - Citizens banned from carrying firearms in Sanaa. Demonstrations without a permit are outlawed. October - Volcano erupts on the Red Sea island of Jabal al-Tair where Yemen has a military base. November - Clashes between Yemeni tribesmen and army personnel protecting a Ukrainian oil company leave 16 people dead in the south-eastern Shabwa province. 2008 January - Renewed clashes between security forces and rebels loyal to Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. March-April - Clashes with troops as southern Yemenis protest against alleged northern bias in state job allocation. One man killed. Series of bomb attacks on police, official, diplomatic, foreign business and tourism targets. US embassy evacuates all non-essential personnel. September - Attack on US embassy in Yemeni capital Sana'a kills 18 people, including six assailants. Six suspects arrested. October - President Saleh announces arrest of suspected Islamist militants allegedly linked to Israeli intelligence.November - Police fire warning shots at Common Forum opposition rally in Sanaa. Demonstrators demand electoral reform and fresh polls. At least five protesters and two police officers injured. 2009 February - Government announces release of 176 al-Qaeda suspects on condition of good behaviour.Saudis bomb Yemen rebelsAugust - The Yemeni army launches a fresh offensive against Shia rebels in the northern Saada province. Tens of thousands of people are displaced by the fighting. November - Saudi Arabia says it has regained control of territory seized by Yemeni rebels in a cross-border incursion. December - Yemen-based branch of al-Qaeda claims it was behind failed attack on US airliner. The government calls on the West for more support to help it combat the al-Qaeda threat.2010 February 2- Government signs ceasefire with Houthi northern rebels, which breaks down in December.September - Thousands flee government offensive against separatists in southern Shabwa province. October - Global terror alert after packages containing explosives originating in Yemen are intercepted on cargo planes bound for the US.2011 January - Tunisian street protests encourage similar demonstrations in other countries, including Yemen. President Saleh pledges not to extend his presidency in 2013 or to hand over to his son.February 3: More than 20, 000 anti-government protesters gathered in Sanaa for a "day of rage" demanding president Saleh's resignation.February/March: Huge protests in the capital Sanaa and across the country continued despite the presidential announcement.March 7: Reports of deaths and injuries after security forces open fire on detainees as they gathered in the prison's courtyard in Sanaa to show their solidarity with the people who want to overthrow the government.March 12: Crackdown on protesters leaves tens of people dead.March 18: Armed men kill over 40 protesters in the capital. President Saleh announces a state of emergency.March 20: President Saleh fires his entire cabinet. But even his own tribe calls for his resignation. Also