Sanaa, September 07: At least four Houthi fighters have been killed after nine hours of heavy clashes with the Yemeni army in the north of the country, an army spokesman says.
Heavy fighting broke out on Sunday as government troops renewed attacks on the mountain stronghold of the Houthis in Yemen’s rugged north, military officials and witnesses said.
The battle between Yemen’s army and Houthi fighters has been going on in the mountainous northern Saada province and Saada city.
Army tanks fired salvos as armored cars blocked the entrances to the narrow alleys of the old city in Saada, stronghold of the Houthis, officials said.
The fighters who are from Yemen’s Shia Zaidi minority, returned fire from a hideout in a fortress overlooking the old town. Shops were closed and residents stayed indoors due to the ongoing clashes.
The United Nations says 35,000 people have been displaced during the three weeks of clashes in the region and Saada city is cut off from the outside world, with food running low.
The Houthis, also known as the Zaidis, accused the government on Sunday of preventing civilians displaced by the fighting from returning to their homes.
—–Agencies