At least 23 rebels die in Yemen

Sana'a: At least 23 rebels, including field leaders, were killed and many others injured in Haraf Sufyan, where rebels have been trying to block the road connecting Sa'ada and the capital Sana'a, sources said.

Government troops secured about 40km of a 90km road between Haraf Sufyan and Sa'ada that rebels frequently blocked in the past.

The 680,000 people living in Sa'ada province have suffered when transport routes were cut because humanitarian relief organisations were not able to enter the area.

Four soldiers have also been freed after being held captive by rebels for more than a month.

The soldiers were liberated when rebels fled to caves in the area, leaving the detainees alone, sources said.