Officials say a cease-fire reached in 2007 between the Sa'adah Governorate and rebel forces was largely ignored and fighting continued. Again the two sides came to a peace agreement in January 2008, but a recent surge in violence has led many to doubt that the new agreement will hold up.

As a result of the fighting the United Nations estimates as many as 77,000 people have been forced from their homes. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees is calling on the international community for additional financial help, asking for nearly $3 million.

"New internally displaced persons continue to arrive in Sa'adah city, including more than 200 families for the past week alone," Ron Redmond, UNHCR spokesperson, said in a statement. " … This assistance will help relieve the burden on local communities, which host 90 percent of the IDP population."