Yemen denies Saudi bombardment on rebels

Sanaa: The Yemeni Defense Ministry on Tuesday 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 Monday that Saudi Arabia 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 where the fiercest fighting has occurred 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, 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, 4 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.

The clashes happened when tribesmen from Jiham asked the other tribesmen from Al Hamaid, to stop supporting Al Houthi rebels or get out from the area.

“No one here in Al Jawf supports Al Houthi rebels in terms of faith, but some support the armed rebellion because of the problems between the tribesmen themselves on one hand, and because of the problems between them and the government due to lack of development in their area, on the other,” said Yahya Al Kuh, member of the local council of Al Jawf.