Saudi army 'kills' 50 civilians in Yemen

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:07:02 GMT

Press TV -

Houthi fighters in Yemen said Tuesday a dozen airstrikes carried out by Saudi warplanes have left more 50 civilians dead in the northern villages.

Based on a report released by the fighters, Saudi forces hit the northern villages with "hundreds of rockets", killing at least 50 civilians overnight.

The report said the Saudi army also used its ground forces to push into a district inside Yemen on Monday.

The fighters claimed they took "full control of the Al-Jamrah Saudi military post" along the border, seizing weapons, communication material, military vehicles and surveillance equipment.

The raids, however, continue with artillery bombardment, tank raids and mortar attacks on the northern areas, the Houthis said.

Riyadh joined Yemen's offensive against the Houthi fighters in November and vowed to continue its raids until they move back from the frontier between Yemen and the kingdom.

The fighters accuse Riyadh of targeting civilian areas far from the Saudi-Yemeni border. They say the attacks have so far left scores of civilians killed and thousands of others displaced.

Houthis seize full control of Saudi border post

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:35:17 GMT

Press TV -

Houthi fighters in northern Yemen say they have seized control of a Saudi military post along the border between the two countries where Saudi and Yemeni forces are waging a campaign to uproot them.

According to a report released by Hezbollah's al-Manar television network, Houthis have seized "full control of the Al-Jamrah Saudi military post" as well as weapons, communication material, military vehicles and surveillance equipment.

The report added that the northern Yemen's Shia fighters overran the Saudi post on Monday and forced soldiers to flee. The post is said to be located in close proximity to al-Khoba in Saudi Arabia's southern province of Jizan.

Meanwhile, Houthi fighters have managed to repulse Saudi forces trying to infiltrate into the rugged Sa'ada province in northern Yemen, after killing an unspecified number of Saudi soldiers.

Houthis said they pushed back Saudi troops from Shada border region in northern Yemen on the border with oil-rich Saudi-Arabia, and also set four Saudi military vehicles ablaze.

Houthi fighters also resisted a Yemeni military infiltration into Jebel Dhar al-Hamar region.

The conflict in northern Yemen began in 2004 between Sana'a and Houthi fighters. The conflict intensified in August 2009 when the Yemeni army launched Operation Scorched Earth in an attempt to crush the fighters in the northern province of Sa'ada.

The Houthis accuse the Yemeni government of violation of their civil rights, political, economic and religious marginalization as well as large-scale corruption.

This is while in addition to the Yemeni government, Saudi Arabia also pounds the Houthis. The Houthis say that Saudi forces strike Yemeni villages and indiscriminately target civilians. According to the fighters, Saudis use toxic materials, including white phosphorus bombs, against civilians in northern Yemen.

The US military is also said to be involved in bombing Yemen's northern rugged regions of Amran, Hajjah and Sa'ada.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that since 2004, up to 175,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Sa'ada and take refuge at overcrowded camps set up by the United Nations.

MP/DT

Yemen calls rebels to put down weapons after top leaders killed

Written By: Nasser Arrabyee

Yemen Observer, Dec 28, 2009 - 10:29:23 AM

The Yemen's supreme security committee called Monday al-Houthi rebels to put down weapons and surrender themselves after their top leader and 13 other field leaders were killed over the last few days.

"The heads of the rebellion have met their certain fate, and the remaining are escaping now  like the panic –stricken  rats from field of battles after committing the most brutal crimes," said the committee in an official  statement published Monday.

"Take this opportunity and return to your children, wives, parents, and live with them in security and safety," the statement added.

This call comes after the death of the rebels' leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, has become almost confirmed. He died two days ago from injuries he sustained in an air strike on one of his hideouts two weeks ago, according to concurrent information  many military and independent sources in Sa'adah. 

No confirmation or denial from the al-Houthi side on the death of their top leader until today Monday.  

The security authorities published also Monday the names of 13 field leaders who were  killed in fierce and decisive battles over the last few days in various places in Sa'adah.

The call also comes at the time when the army claims it is about to finish the war as it is advancing in all frontlines against the blockaded and exhausted rebels. 

In a slip of the tongue, Abdul Malik Al-Houthi confirmed dead

Written By: Zaid al-Alaya'a & Nasser Arrabyee

Yemen Observer, Dec 27, 2009 - 3:22:10 PM

YEMEN -

The top leader of rebels in Sa’adah, northern Yemen, Abdul Malik al-Houthi has died after he was seriously injured in an air strike two weeks ago, military and independent sources said Sunday.

Various and concurrent sources from Sa’adah said Sunday that Abdul Malik al-Houthi was buried on Saturday in al-Malahaid area, west of Sa’adah.

He was buried next to the house of Ahmed al-Hadawi, who is very close to al-Houthi family, military and the concurrent independent sources said.

Despite the fact that the burial took place secretly to avoid any effect on the morale of the rebels still fighting the Yemeni army, the news of his death is spreading quickly everywhere in Sa’adah, the sources said.
 
Mohamed Abdul Salam, spokesperson for the rebels, inadvertently undermined his position as representative by confirming the death of the rebellion’s commander. In an interview with BBC Arabic, Salam referred to Abdul Malik al-Houthi as a martyr, unintentionally revealing the death of Abdul Malik al-Houthi

However, Yousif al-Madani, who is acting as the top leader instead of Abdul Malik, distributed leaflets signed by Abdul Malik to his field leaders saying, "Do not believe any propaganda about the death of our leader Abdul Malik," according to concurrent sources from Sa’adah.

The Yemeni army on its part, distributed leaflets all over Sa’adah calling the blockaded rebels, to surrender to the army and the tribal chiefs and members of parliament. Guarantees were given for those who will surrender to return home to their families without any punishments, according to the contents of the leaflets.

On December 17th, the army said warplanes implemented raids on the house of Kasem Mahdi al-Hafad in Wadi al-Hebal, Sakain district, where Abdul Malik and a number of rebels were staying. The army, at the time, said Abdul Malik was serious injured. Al-Houthi office denied the news as untrue. But, Abdul Malik, had disappeared since that incident.

Close sources to al-Houthi said a dispute erupted between the rebels, after the death of Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.