Sana’a: Yemen’s Al Houthi militants have killed three Saudi border guards in a mortar attack, the Saudi Defense Ministry said Saturday.
An unnamed military official quoted in the Defense Ministry statement said the incident took place Friday in the Saudi border province of Najran.
The Defense Ministry said its forces responded with gunfire, and that 500 Al Houthi militamen have been killed in clashes along the border since a Saudi-led air campaign against them began late last month. Earlier this month, three Saudi border guards were killed in separate clashes with Al Houthis.
The Saudi-led coalition has imposed a virtual air and sea blockade on Yemen to prevent Al Houthis and their allies -- loyalists of former autocrat Ali Abdullah Saleh -- from rearming.
Aden, where Yemen’s internationally recognized President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi had set up a temporary capital before fleeing the country last month, has seen intense fighting in recent days.
Medical officials in Aden said Iran-backed Al Houthis and their allies fired mortar shells into two residential areas on Saturday, killing two civilians and wounding at least 25 others.
Eyewitnesses and security officials said Saleh loyalists have taken over a number of buildings and hotels in Aden and are using them to house troops and store weapons.
In the southern Ibb province, tribal officials and eyewitnesses said Popular Committees supporting Hadi launched an attack on positions held by Al Houthis and pro-Saleh gunmen.
Mohammad Ausaj, spokesman for the Al Qafer tribe, said the fighting in Ibb raged into Saturday afternoon and that more anti-Al Houthi tribal fighters were massing in a nearby district.