Hundreds of Yemenis are rallying in a northern city, demanding the government arrest the kidnappers of nine foreigners who went missing last week.
Three of the kidnapped - two German nurses and a South Korean teacher - have since been found dead. Six others remain missing.
Helicopters joined the search Wednesday in the northern Saada province, where al-Qaida has a foothold.
In Saada city, hundreds marched in a government-orchestrated protest.
About 3,000 members of a Shiite rebel group also rallied nearby. Authorities initially accused the group of the kidnapping, but the rebels denied involvement.
President Ali Abdullah Saleh has offered a $250,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of the kidnappers or the hostages.