ADEN, Yemen, May 8 (NNN-SABA) – Four government troops and five Houthi fighters were killed on Tuesday, in fighting between the two sides in the southeastern province of al-Bayda, a military official said.
Scores of Houthi fighters launched an armed attack, accompanied by heavy shelling, on the positions of government forces, in the area of Al Humegan, located in the southwest of al-Bayda province, the local military source said.
He said that the attack sparked armed confrontations that ended up in the killing of four government soldiers, including a field military commander, and wounding several others.
The source pointed out that, government forces repulsed the attack, and fought fierce battles with the Houthis, causing unknown casualties among the Houthi assailants.
In a brief statement, the country’s Defence Ministry said, government forces, backed by local tribesmen, targeted the Houthi-controlled sites in al-Bayda, killing five Houthis and wounding many others.
On the other hand, the pro-Houthi media outlets confirmed that the group’s fighters launched an offensive on the positions of government forces in Al Humegan district, killing and wounding several pro-government soldiers, including leaders.
Large areas of al-Bayda province are witnessing continuous fighting between government forces and the Houthi rebels who are attempting to expand their control to include areas in the country’s southern and eastern part.
The rebels advanced from their far northern stronghold of Saada Province towards the south, and seized control over much of the country’s north including Sanaa, thus triggering the civil war.– NNN-SABA
