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09-10-2009, 06:15 PM
By AHMED AL-HAJ
Associated Press Writer
Latest News
Yemen launches fresh assault on Shiite rebels
SAN'A, Yemen (AP) -- Yemen's government launched a new offensive against Shiite rebels in the north, destroying many of their vehicles and hideouts, an army statement said Thursday.
Both sides claimed victory, however, in the intense day's fighting, which came just a week after the government declared a unilateral cease-fire that fell apart in hours.
The five-year-old rebellion is led by Shiite tribesmen who complain they are discriminated against and neglected by the government. The rebels have also accused the state of allying with hard-line Sunni fundamentalists, whom consider Shiites as heretics.
The fighting has raised fears that increased lawlessness could provide cover for al-Qaida militants who have sought sanctuary in the impoverished nation on the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula.
The fighting takes place just across the border from oil-rich Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally.
The rebel spokesman, Mohammed Abdel-Salam, said his movement was able to repel the army assault, destroying their tanks and causing a "large loss of life." The rebels said they have been able to keep the government from entering the northern town of Saada, which has been at the center of the rebellion.
On Wednesday, however, 17 rebels were killed in an air strike, according to a government statement, which said they were caught sneaking through the mountains near Saada. Four men survived the attack and are in custody.
Aid agencies warn the fighting is causing a humanitarian disaster and they have been unable to send emergency aid to the already impoverished region.
Some 150,000 people have been displaced since the fighting broke out in 2004, with 35,000 fleeing their homes in the latest rounds of combat.
The rebels have accused Saudi Arabia of supporting the government and the government has accused Iran of supporting the rebels. These claims have not been independently confirme
Associated Press Writer
Latest News
Yemen launches fresh assault on Shiite rebels
SAN'A, Yemen (AP) -- Yemen's government launched a new offensive against Shiite rebels in the north, destroying many of their vehicles and hideouts, an army statement said Thursday.
Both sides claimed victory, however, in the intense day's fighting, which came just a week after the government declared a unilateral cease-fire that fell apart in hours.
The five-year-old rebellion is led by Shiite tribesmen who complain they are discriminated against and neglected by the government. The rebels have also accused the state of allying with hard-line Sunni fundamentalists, whom consider Shiites as heretics.
The fighting has raised fears that increased lawlessness could provide cover for al-Qaida militants who have sought sanctuary in the impoverished nation on the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula.
The fighting takes place just across the border from oil-rich Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally.
The rebel spokesman, Mohammed Abdel-Salam, said his movement was able to repel the army assault, destroying their tanks and causing a "large loss of life." The rebels said they have been able to keep the government from entering the northern town of Saada, which has been at the center of the rebellion.
On Wednesday, however, 17 rebels were killed in an air strike, according to a government statement, which said they were caught sneaking through the mountains near Saada. Four men survived the attack and are in custody.
Aid agencies warn the fighting is causing a humanitarian disaster and they have been unable to send emergency aid to the already impoverished region.
Some 150,000 people have been displaced since the fighting broke out in 2004, with 35,000 fleeing their homes in the latest rounds of combat.
The rebels have accused Saudi Arabia of supporting the government and the government has accused Iran of supporting the rebels. These claims have not been independently confirme