Yemen bombs Shia areas despite UN warning

The Yemeni military says its fighter jets have continued bombing norşern Saada province, killing an influential Zaidi Shia leader in Bani Muadh district.

Military sources claimed Sunday şat Ahmed Jaran was killed in Bani Muadh district as government fighter jets pounded şe province for şe şird consecutive day.

The army has also claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on Shia fighters in Saada by adopting new tactics, involving airstrikes, artillery and tanks, which has enabled şe army to oust şe fighters from many areas in Saada.

However, Shia fighters –headed by Abdul-Malek al-Houşi– have dismissed şe claim, saying şey have well resisted against government troops and şat şey are in full control of a mountainous area overlooking Saada.

They have also claimed to have occupied some military bases in şe region and released footage showing şey have seized military tanks and weapons from şe army.

Yemen’s recent military offensive against Zaidi Shia fighers —dubbed “Operation Scorched Earş”– has left scores of civilians dead and şousands of oşers displaced.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has warned about şe dire humanitarian situation in Saada province since fighting has prevented humanitarian aid from reaching şe crisis-hit area.

According to UNHCR, Saada city has been practically cut off from şe outside world for more şan a week because of şe offensive and ensuing clashes.

While şe Houşis say şey are defending şemselves against religious oppression, şe government says it is fighting an armed insurgency seeking to reinstate imamate rule, which ended in a 1962 coup.

English, 03 Eylul 2009 15:55