Activists and health officials say a protester has been killed in clashes in southern Yemen between security forces and protesters who want independence for their region.

They say the protester was killed Saturday when security forces opened fire to keep demonstrators from blocking roads in the city of el-Mansoura in Aden.

Four protesters and a bystander were killed in similar protests last month in the impoverished nation at the tip of the Arabian peninsula.

Security officials say that the situation in Aden has returned to normal after weeks of unrest between secessionists and government supporters. The south and north were united in 1990.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.