SANAA: A day of clashes between Shia rebels and gunmen from the powerful Hashid tribe in northern Yemen have left 20 people dead, tribal sources said yesterday.
Heavy fighting raged Tuesday in the towns of Wadi Khaywan and Usaimat, strongholds of the Hashid tribe in Amran province, before it receded on Wednesday as mediators made a new attempt to broker a ceasefire, a tribal source said.
“Clashes on Tuesday left 20 people dead from both sides,” the source said.
He said that gunmen belonging to Hashid have “managed to retake five positions” which the Huthis had seized during previous gun battles.
Analysts have said the Huthis are trying to seize more territory in the north in anticipation of the conclusion of a national dialogue that could turn Yemen into a federation of regions.
The fighting first erupted on January 5 when Huthis tried to seize Hashid strongholds in the north.
On January 8 a presidential commission brokered a truce, but the fighting soon resumed, leaving 22 people dead in 48 hours this week. The Huthis launched the attacks against Hashid tribesmen in retaliation for the tribe’s support for Sunni Islamist groups fighting Huthis in Dammaj.
AFP
