71 killed as army, rebels clash in Yemen

Shiite Houthi rebels Friday clashed with the army and Sunni militia in Yemeni capital city of Sana'a for the second day, leaving 71 people killed, including 30 soldiers and eight civilians, Xinhua reported.

It also drove hundreds to flee their homes in an escalation of violence after weeks of hostility in the city's outskirts.

The rebels launched an unexpected attack against the state-run Yemeni TV since Thursday night after they clashed for days with Sunni militia in nearby Iman University, run by Sunni Islah party, and barracks of the 1st Armored Division that allied with the Muslim Brotherhood's branch in Yemen.

Medical sources said Friday afternoon 30 soldiers were killed in the clashes, which also claimed lives of 10 Sunni fighters, 23 Houthis and eight civilians since Thursday.

On Wednesday, clashes between the army and rebels in the same area left at least 20 soldiers killed.

The army repelled the rebels Friday afternoon after more soldiers and tanks were deployed in that area.

However, the rebels continued to besiege the nearby Iman University and 1st Armored Division. Residents in Sanaa's northwest outskirts said they heard explosions all day long till Friday night and many houses were damaged in the fierce fighting.

Hundreds of people fled their homes due to the clashes which also forced the country's main airport to shut down.

Most of foreign airlines suspended flights to Sanaa International Airport, about 10 km away from the state TV, for 24 hours due to clashes between the army and Shiite Houthi rebels in the Yemeni capital, the official Saba news agency reported Thursday night.

The deadly clashes broke out as negotiations between the Sunni- dominated government and the Shiite Houthi group run into deadlock after the rebels walked away from talks on a solution to end the crisis Monday, saying there was "foreign intervention".