World North Yemen clashes ‘leave 120 dead’ Joseph AnthonyJune 4, 20140147 views At least 120 people have died in the latest flare-up in the conflict between government forces and Zaidi Shia rebels in northern Yemen, reports say.Warplanes and troops attacked positions held bythe rebels, known as Houthis, in Amran province on Monday.About 100 Houthis were killed, along with some 20 soldiers, Amran’s deputy governor told the Reuters news agency.The fighting ended on Monday evening after a ceasefire was agreed. No clashes have been reported on Tuesday.The Houthis have staged periodic uprisings over the past 10 years in an effort to win greater autonomy for their strongholds in the far north.In February, they seized areas of Amran in fighting that left more than 150 people dead.Monday’s clashes reportedly erupted after troops and members of the Sunni Islamic Islah party tried to expel rebels from a strategic position near the provincial capital of Amran, officials told the AFP news agency.Air force jets supported the assault on the position, which is on the main road to capital Sanaa, 45km (28 miles) to the south-east.
