Saudi-led air raids kill at least 20 in Yemen

Sanaa, Dec 22: Yemeni security officials say a Saudi-led coalition has launched more than a dozen airstrikes against anti-government rebels in Taiz province, killing at least 20.

They say the raids today killed more than 15 fighters from the Shiite rebels, known as Houthis. They say the Houthis were also fighting pro-government forces southwest of Taiz.

The security officials say coalition airstrikes also killed five rebels just outside the city of Bihan in Shabwa province, while eight people were killed in fighting in Jawf province.

The conflict in Yemen pits the country's internationally recognized government and the U.S.-allied, Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis, who are allied with Yemen's longtime former president.

The officials, who back neither side in the conflict, spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to brief reporters.

PTI