SANAA, Yemen, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Dozens of Yemeni troops and rebels were killed in renewed fighting in the northern province of Saada near the Yemeni-Saudi border, sources said Thursday.
Reliable tribal sources told UPI that fierce fighting resumed late Wednesday between government forces and followers of anti-U.S. rebel religious leader Hussein Badreddin al-Houthy in the rugged mountains of Maran.
Medical sources said dozens of people from both sides were killed or wounded, including three soldiers who succumbed to their wounds in hospital. The number of casualties could not be confirmed, but was reported to be no less than 40 from the two warring sides.
The fighting began hours after President Ali Abdullah Saleh had dispatched a delegation to al-Houthy to convince him to surrender. Sources said the mediation effort apparently failed, explaining the renewal of fighting that began six weeks ago.
Al-Houthy is accused by the Yemeni authorities of fuelling Muslim extremism and violence against Western interests, especially the United States.
