Sana’a: Al Houthi rebels have denied imposing a blockade against tribesmen loyal to the government in the Harf Sufyan area of Sana’a, accusing the army of launching a war against them.

“The army has been pounding the citizens in villages of Al Amashia from two military positions, Al Zala and Al Labda, and a lot of our people were martyred,” said Abu Hashem, the media representative of the rebel leader, Abdul Malik Al Houthi, on Thursday. He declined to say exactly how many Houthis had died or were injured.

Abu Hashem blamed local war lords for the current unrest in Harf Sufyan and emphasised that any mediation which would put an end to the war would be welcome. “All the areas of Sa’ada are quiet and stable except Harf Sufyan because of the military commanders who are lords of war, including Sheikh Sagheer Bin Azeez who is also a military commander,” he said.

A total of 66 members of parliament, on Wednesday, supported a parliamentary sit-in, organised by seven MPs who accused Al Houthi rebels of assassinating tribesmen loyal to the government and imposing a blockade on the villages of the MP Shaikh Bin Azeez in the Al Amashia area of Harf Sufyan.

Dozens were killed and injured from both sides in the confrontations which started earlier this week after three Al Houthi rebels were killed and five injured in the Al Amashia area. Local sources said 51 were killed, while many others from both sides were injured in the four-day confrontation.