Yemen clashes kill 35 as rebels try to retake western Taiz

Sanaa, Mar 20: Yemeni security and medical officials say 35 fighters have been killed in clashes between Shiite rebels and pro-government forces in Taiz, the country's third-largest city.

The officials say Shiite rebels known as Houthis were trying to retake the western part of the city yesterday, while a Saudi-led coalition launched more than a dozen airstrikes to prevent the Houthis from advancing.

Yemen's civil war pits Houthi rebels against fighters allied with the internationally recognised government.

A Saudi-led coalition began launching airstrikes against the Houthis in March 2015. The Houthis had besieged Taiz for over a year until pro-government forces pushed them out of the western part of the city last week, reopening a passage into Taiz.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief reporters.

AP