More 22 rebels killed in heavy battles

By Nasser Arrabyee 13/09/2009

More than 22 Al Houthi rebels were killed and many others injured in heavy fighting north of Yemen, said military sources Sunday.

More than 15 rebels were killed the in heavy battles in Al Malahaid, west of Sa'ada , where the rebels tried to block the high way between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, the sources said.

Seven more rebels were killed in the ongoing battles to secure the strategic road of which leads to the last strongholds of the rebels, the sources said.

The army started early morning Sunday to implement a wide attack an attempt to completely control the hills and mountains overlooking the nearly 70 km road between Harf Sufyan and Sa'ada.

Eyewitnesses said that aircrafts continued bombing the posts and hideouts of the rebels in Harf Sufyan all the day, and efforts of removing the mines planted by the rebels on the road from Harf Sufyan to Sa'ada are in full swing.

"I saw the fighters bombard the remaining posts and fortifications of the rebels here in this area all the day," said journalist Mahmoud Taha from Al Jabal Al Aswad in Harf Sufyan.

"Also I saw the minesweepers destroying the mines in the town of Harf Sufyan and areas around it."

Al Houthi's office said in statements sent to media that the Mig-29 fighters continued bombardment around the clock in all areas of Sa'ada, Harf Sufyan and Al Malahaid.