Sanaa , Yemen ( CNN ) -- Casualties mounted in Yemen Wednesday as world powers grappled with the political crisis paralyzing the impoverished and restive nation . The United Nations Security Council met for the first time Tuesday to tackle the hostilities in Yemen , in which anti-government protesters have clashed with security forces and pro-government demonstrators over the last two months . The U.N. efforts to deal with the Yemen crisis coincide with the ongoing initiative of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council , or the GCC -- a coalition of Gulf Arab nations working to ease tensions between Yemen 's government of Ali Abdullah Saleh and a restive opposition . The Security Council was unable to agree on a joint statement , and it 's unclear whether any diplomatic reaction will be forthcoming on Yemen in the coming days . But one diplomat said it was the first time Yemen was on the agenda of the Security Council and it was `` perhaps too early for everyone to agree . '' This world and regional diplomatic focus on Yemen comes as protesters took to the streets in the capital of Sanaa and other cities across the country , which the United Nations calls the poorest country in the region . One death was reported in Hodeida on Wednesday , when security forces in civilian clothing shot and killed a protester , sources said . Security officials in the Aden province city of Khormaksar said a soldier was killed and three others were wounded . Security forces said they saw at least six local residents armed with machine guns attack security forces . Eyewitnesses said troops had been antagonizing Khormaksar by setting up checkpoints , questioning people on the streets , and using threatening language . Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Sanaa over the killings of protesters on Tuesday , when at least five people died . In Taiz , eyewitnesses said four protesters were injured when they attacked government convoys with rocks and gunfire . One of the convoys was from the Taiz governor 's office . Yemen 's instability is rooted in grass-roots political and economic grievances , but the country 's instability concerns the West . That 's because the al Qaeda terror network has a strong presence there . The Saleh government has been a U.S. ally in the fight against Islamic militants there . At the United Nations , the Security Council was briefed by a senior U.N. political affairs officer and a U.N. envoy to Yemen . Germany and Lebanon introduced a statement on Yemen which would have called for restraint in violence , among other themes . U.S . Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said the United States and other nations discussed calling for restraint and an end to the violence in Yemen with a credible transition to democracy . The United States and France wanted to also express support for the efforts of the GCC . Germany voiced concern about the deteriorating situation in Yemen at the meeting and called on all parties to have a dialogue in Yemen . It also expressed support for the GCC . But one U.N. diplomat said concerns from China and Russia blocked a unified response to the developments , and some countries wanted more time to consult their governments . Another U.N. agency , the United Nations Children 's Fund , said Wednesday that too many children are exposed to danger in Yemen . UNICEF spokeswoman Marixie Mercado told journalists in Geneva , Switzerland , that at least 26 children have been killed , mainly by live bullets or ammunition over the last two months . Another 15 children were killed in a large explosion at the Abyan ammunition factory in March `` when civilians reportedly looted the facility , which had been previously taken over by militants . '' Mercado said more than 80 other children had been injured in beatings , rock-throwings or shootings . She said nearly 800 others had been exposed to tear gas in Yemen . CNN 's Richard Roth at the United Nations , CNN 's Christine Theodorou in Abu Dhabi and journalist Hakim Almasmari in Sanaa contributed to this report .
NEW : Unrest reported in Taiz , Sanaa and Aden . The U.N. Security Council visits Yemen . UNICEF voices concern over children 's deaths .