17 Yemeni coup rebels killed in Taiz clashes

Heavy clashes and intense raids by Arab coalition warplanes killed 17 Yemeni coup rebels and injured 31 others in and around the Southwestern town of Taiz, a Yemeni news network reported on Tuesday.

Fierce battled erupted late Sunday and on Monday when the Iranian-backed Houthis and forces loyal to deposed President Ali Abdullah Saleh attacked national army and resistance positions in a bid to seize new areas in Taiz, Marib Press said.

“The Houthi militias and Saleh’s forces have been sending reinforcements to the eastern and southern fronts in Taiz to control areas around the Presidential Palace,” it said, quoting Salah Al Mikhlafi, deputy chief of the Presidential Palace’s force.

He said heavy fighting erupted after the national army and resistance fighters countered the attackers and forced them to retreat to their positions.

The network said he clashes came amidst intensified air raids by the coalition against rebel positions in Taiz and other areas.

It quoted military sources as saying some of the strikes targeted the 22 Brigade fighting along with the Houthis and Saleh’s forces.

“Sources said that the 17 rebels were killed and 31 injured in the clashes on the ground and the air strikes on Monday,” it said.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.