Dozens killed as Yemen pro-govt forces clash with rebels

Dozens of Yemeni Shiite rebels and pro-government fighters have been killed in clashes in several southern provinces as Saudi-led coalition aircraft targeted the Iran-backed insurgents, military officials said on Saturday.

Fierce clashes raged in the areas of Al-Zaher and Thi al-Naem in Baida province between Huthi rebels and Popular Resistance fighters allied with forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, tribal sources said.

The clashes overnight left 19 rebels and 14 Popular Resistance fighters dead, according to tribal and medical sources.

Gun battles also flared up in Al-Madaribah in southwestern Yemen on the border between Lahj and Taez provinces, leaving an unknown number of fighters killed and wounded, military sources said. Southern fighters said they were defending the area against rebels trying to reach the shores of the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) away, which was seized by loyalists last month.