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| Arabia |
| Dozens dead, wounded in Yemeni clashes |
| 2009-09-06 |
| Clashes between the Yemeni Army and Zaidi local fighters have left "dozens" of people dead or wounded, just hours after the government said it would suspend its attacks against the fighters. "The armed forces and rebels engaged in violent clashes overnight which continued until dawn on Saturday in Malaheez and Hafr Sufyan" in Saada province, AFP quoted a military source as saying. "Dozens of people have been killed and wounded in both camps," the source added, without elaborating. No official confirmation of the toll was available. On Friday, the Yemeni government said it would end the bloody clashes in Saada Province and the surrounding areas and that it would let aid agencies help thousands of people in the region who have been displaced by war. But the cease-fire did not last long. The Yemeni military launched an offensive against the Shia Zaidis in Saada and Amran provinces three weeks ago, accusing the Zaidis of trying to restore a Zaidi imamate system, overthrown in a 1962 coup. Zaidi Shias - also known as Houthis - say they are defending themselves against religious oppression and they have vowed to fight until their rights are achieved if the attacks continue. Zaidis Shias also say that Saudi Arabia and al-Qaeda are helping the Yemeni government in its crackdown on them. Yemen's recent military offensive against Zaidi Shia fighters - dubbed "Operation Scorched Earth" - has left scores of civilians dead and thousands of others displaced. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has warned about the dire humanitarian situation in Saada province since fighting has prevented humanitarian aid from reaching the crisis-hit area. |
| Posted by:Fred |