http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/08/200981520850450543.html
Sunday, August 16, 2009
00:58 Mecca time, 21:58 GMT
Yemen expands assault on rebels
The military used airstrikes and artillery in battles on Saturday
[Reuters]
The Yemini army has entered into its fifth day of deadly fighting against
suspected rebels in the north of the country, saying that its aim is to "save"
civilians from the opposition fighters.
Airstrikes and artillery fire were used by the military in battles on Saturday,
with 17 Houthi fighters, who belong to the Zaydi branch of Shia Islam, and six
government troops killed, an official from Amran province said.
Saturday's fighting took place closer to Sana'a, the capital, than in any other
battles since fighting began on Tuesday.
The fighting has forced thousands of civilians to leave their homes over the
past week, the local government official said.
'Annihiliating civilians'
Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, one of the leaders of the Zaydis, said on Saturday that
the government's campaign was "a crime that is annihilating civilians."
Al-Houthi also said that none of his followers had been killed during the
attacks.
In depth
Video: Fierce fighting grips Yemen
Profile: Yemen's Houthi fighters
Inside story: Yemen's future
The military offensive was ignited after the sect claimed to be gaining greater
control of the northern Saada province, which borders Saudi Arabia, from
government troops.
The government has warned that the fighters should meet its ceasefire
conditions or face an "iron-fist".
Fighting between the Houthis and the military has left hundreds of soldiers and
fighters dead since 2004.
Tensions have been rising between the Houthis and the army in Saada since last
July when President Ali Abdullah Saleh declared the conflict over.
The authorities have accused the Houthis of trying to reinstall the rule of
imams, toppled by a republican revolution in northern Yemen in 1962.
The fighters say they are defending their villages against government
oppression.
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