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Fighting breaks out in Yemen with Shi'ite group tied to Iran

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Wednesday, January 31, 2007

CAIRO — Yemen faces the eruption of another Shi'ite insurgency.

Shi'ite fighters financed by Iran have renewed strikes on Yemeni military and police targets. The fighters were identified as members of the Believing Youth, led by Abdul Malek Al Houthi, son of the late founder of the movement.

On Jan. 28, a Yemeni police statement said six Yemeni soldiers and police were killed and 20 others were injured, Middle East Newsline reported. Officials said Shi'ite fighters attacked Yemeni military installations and patrols.

"The local authority and the armed and security forces in the province of Saada will carry out their duties in preserving security and stability and ending these acts of sabotage carried out by these criminals," a government statement said.

Officials said the battle took place in the northern province of Saada near the Saudi border.

Yemen has accused the Believing Youth of being financed and directed by Iran. The Shi'ite insurgents have revolted at least twice since 2004.

"A group of saboteurs led by Abdul Malek Al Houthi carried out a rare attack on Jan. 27 on locations belonging to the armed forces and security in the province of Saada," the statement said.

Islamic sources said the army shelled Shi'ite positions in Saada. They said the army deployed main battle tanks and artillery over the weekend against the Believing Youth.

"There is a special force ready to uproot them if they do not disband and put down their weapons as soon as possible," Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh said on Monday. "This operation would not take long."


Copyright © 2007 East West Services, Inc.

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