Yemen: Clashes between tribes and rebels, 12 dead

At least 12 people were killed in fierce fighting between Yemeni army-backed tribes and Shi'ite Muslim rebels on the night of September 5 in the Ghayl and Majzar areas, east of the capital Sanaa, according to tribal sources.

The clash brought the death toll to 34 since September 4, including 20 soldiers and tribal fighters and 14 rebel gunmen.

Illustration photo. (Source: rte.ie)

Fighting broke out in Jawf province, north of Sanaa, as rebels tried to seize roads leading to Sanaa, where weeks of anti-government protests have been taking place.

Pro-government sources said the rebels used tanks and artillery against government and pro-government forces but the attack was repelled.

Since September 3, anti-government protests have continued to escalate in the capital Sanaa and many neighboring areas to protest the proposal to dissolve the government and curb fuel prices previously made by President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi.

For years, the Shiite Houthi rebel group has been fighting the Yemeni army in the northern regions of the country. In August 2010, the Houthis signed a ceasefire agreement with the government, ending six years of war.

However, since the government was formed in 2012 after a year of protests that led to the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen has embarked on a difficult political transition.

Taking advantage of this security vacuum, the Houthi group has expanded its control to the northern provinces. On July 8, the group took over the northern province of Amran, about 50km from the capital Sanaa, and organized protests throughout August demanding the government’s resignation./.

According to VNA