Dubai: In a shocking incident, young Yemeni poet Waleed Mohammad Al Rumaishi's tongue was cut and he was left bleeding on a Sana'a street recently.

However, it was not known who was responsible for the gruesome act. It is alleged that the poet, a supporter of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, used to recite fiery poems which may have incited the opposition.

On Wednesday he was kidnapped by gunmen believed to be bodyguards of the opposition leaders who were angry with Al Rumaishi's electrifying poems.

"Cutting tongues, hands, legs, and heads are the acts of backward, reactionary, extremist and terrorist forces," said Saleh during his speech on Friday.