Groups of Madagascar soldiers joined youth-led protests in the capital of Antananarivo on Saturday after police used stun grenades and tear gas. The soldiers, who announced that they would refuse any orders to shoot demonstrators, arrived at the heart of the gathering near the Lake Anosy area where they were welcomed with cheers.

Fresh youth-led demonstrations in Antananarivo drew large crowds in one of the biggest gatherings since a protest movement erupted on the Indian Ocean island on September 25.

After police used stun grenades and tear gas to try to disperse the demonstrators, soldiers arrived at the heart of the gathering near the Lake Anosy area where they were welcomed with cheers.

Protesters called out “Thank you!” to the soldiers, some of whom were waving Madagascar flags, the images showed.

At a meeting at an army barracks on the outskirts of the city earlier, the soldiers said they would not take action against the protestors.

“Let us join forces, military, gendarmes and police, and refuse to be paid to shoot our friends, our brothers and our sisters,” the soldiers at the base in Soanierana district said in a video posted on social media.