Violence kills 11 in southern Yemen

By Mubarak Mohamed

HADRAMOUT, Yemen

At least 11 people were killed in deadly clashes between Houthi rebels and government forces in Yemen’s southern Shabwa province, according to a pro-government commander.

Government forces repelled three attacks by Houthi rebels and allied forces in Asilan district in the province, triggering clashes in which eight rebels were killed and 11 others injured, Ahmad al-Musabi told Anadolu Agency.

Three government forces were killed and nine others injured in the violence, he said.

Houthi leaders could not be reached for comment.

Impoverished Yemen has remained in the throes of a bloody civil war since 2014, when the Shia Houthi group overran much of the country, including Sanaa, forcing President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and his government to flee the capital.

The conflict escalated in 2015 when Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies launched a massive air campaign aimed at reversing Houthi military gains.