Sana'a: The Yemeni Defence Ministry yesterday denied allegations by Al Houthi rebels that Saudi Arabia shelled the border area under rebel control.
"Such allegations show that the rebels feel their defeat is very close. They want to justify it by blaming Saudi interference," said the Ministry in a statement.
Al Houthi rebels said on Monday that Saudi Arabia's artillery pounded the market of Al Husama where many people were shopping, far west of Sa'ada province.
At least two Saudi border guards were in injured in clashes with Al Houthi rebels in Al Husama area as well, according to press reports.
Al Malahaid, a western province, is currently witnessing the fiercest fighting between government troops and rebels. Government officials have accused the rebels of launching suicide attacks on the densely populated district of Razeh. Most of the tribesmen of Razeh's mountainous area overlooking the rebels' main positions, are cooperating with the government troops against the rebels.
At least 14 rebels were killed, and 12 others were arrested on Monday when they tried to control places in Jabal Haram and Wadi Maeen in Razeh, local sources said. The sources also said that three soldiers were killed in the clashes.
The soldiers were asking the rebels through loudspeakers to come to bury tens of dead bodies of their fighters and surrender themselves, the sources from Razeh said.
Meanwhile, four tribesmen calling for support for Al Houthi rebels were killed in Barat, Al Jawaf province, east of Sa'ada, in clashes with other tribesmen loyal to the government, according to local tribal sources.
One tribesman loyal to the government was killed in those clashes that occurred when tribesmen from Jiham asked those from Al Hamaid to stop supporting Al Houthi rebels.
Ten sentenced to death
Ten Al Houthi supporters were sentenced to death and five others were sentenced to 15 years in prison for fighting with Al Houthi rebels last year.
"Death to America, death to Israel, curse to Jews and victory to Islam," shouted Al Houthi supporters from behind the bars as the judge of the Special State Security Court, Redhwan Al Namer pronounced the verdict yesterday. On Saturday, the same court sentenced two Al Houthi supporters to death and nine others to 8-12 years in prison.
The 26 defendants were convicted of treason and the killing of soldiers and citizens.
They are among about 150 Al Houthi rebels still being tried for igniting an armed rebellion against the state in the middle of 2008 in the northern outskirt of the capital Sana'a, Bani Hushaish.
