Dubai: Pro-government Yemen tribesmen have killed 10 Shi`ite rebels after they tried to take up positions in homes in a northern town, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday.
Fighting has intensified in north Yemen in recent weeks, with both Yemeni and Saudi forces pounding positions of Shi`ite insurgents who have fought central government since 2004, complaining of social, economic and religious marginalisation.
Saudi Arabia, a key ally of Yemen, fears that instability in its populous neighbour will allow al Qaeda militants to use safe havens there for attacks on the world`s biggest oil exporter.
The Interior Ministry said that members of the Shoulan tribe had killed 10 rebels in a barrage of rifle fire, a day after 15 rebels were reported to have been killed in separate clashes with pro-government tribesmen and in Yemeni security operations.
"Tribal groups from the Shoulan rained the infiltrating gangs of destruction with a barrage of rifle fire, killing 10," the Interior Ministry said on its website.
Yemen, the poorest Arab country, came to the foreground of US-led efforts to battle Islamist militants after the Yemen-based wing of al Qaeda said it was behind a failed December 25 plot to bomb a US-bound airliner.
Yemen is also facing separatist activity in the south and fighting al Qaeda militants in several provinces.
Bureau Report
