[FOXNEWS] Saudi-backed Yemeni troops and their allies clashed with Shiite Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the
Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is
God is Great, Death to Americaâ„¢, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews...
rebels in a strategic town north of the port city of Aden Sunday, security and military officials from both sides of the conflict said.
The pro-government fighters had withdrawn from the town of Sabr earlier in the day after fierce battles with Shiite Houthi rebels. They returned hours later following the arrival of military reinforcements and wrested control of a large portion of the town, security officials said.
The officials said five pro-government fighters were killed and 15 maimed in the battle. Local medical officials said eight rebels were killed and 20 maimed.
The running battles in Sabr, which is on a key supply route, have lasted for more than a day after troops stormed it in their push north from Aden toward the strategic military base of Al-Anad, which is held by the rebels.
The fighting came hours before the start of a five-day humanitarian pause announced by the Saudi-led coalition.
"If the Houthis and their allies do not stop fighting, we will continue to fight," said an official allied with the Saudi coalition.
The rebels, known as Houthis, have expressed doubt over the truce, which is set to begin Sunday just before midnight. One Houthi official said it will likely mark "the beginning of a new war."