Sunday 16 August 2009

Yemen denies allegations of Saudi participation in Sa'ada war


By Nasser Arrabyee/16/08/2009

Sana'a- The Yemen Ministry of Defense denied Sunday as untrue and baseless the Iranian allegations aired by the Iranian official radio that Saudi Arabia had participated in air strikes on Al Houthi rebels in Sa'ada.

"The Yemeni armed forces alone are strong enough to do their constitutional duty to maintain security and stability," the Ministry said in a statement.

It added, "It was better for the Tehran radio station to adhere to objectivity and impartiality and not to put itself in such a situation which raises questions over the goals behind such news."

Earlier, the Ministry denied also Al Houthi allegations that phosphoric bombs were used in those aerial attacks.

"That is untrue and baseless, the armed forces do not have such bombs, we target the positions and check points established by the rebels to attack and terrify the citizens."Said the Ministry's statement.

The battles between the Yemeni government troops and Al Houthi rebels are continuing for the seventh consecutive day in Sa'ada where the government is apparently determined to crush the five- year old rebellion by "iron fist"

Local sources said, the troops are tightening the noose on Haraf Sufyan area where Al Houthi rebels tried to block the road connecting Sa'ada with the Yemeni capital Sana'a.

About 40 rebels and 10 soldiers' were killed over the last 24 hours only in the battles of Haraf Sufyan, the sources said.

Aerial attacks continued early Sunday on the strongholds of the rebels in Mutrah and Naka'a at the borders with Saudi Arabia.


On their part, the rebels threatened to do unexpected reaction.

The option of peace is still there, we did not do any reaction until now, but our reaction will be strong and unexpected," Said Mohammed Abdul Salam, the spokesman of Al Houthi rebels.


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