Toll in Yemen clashes climbs to 270

Sanaa, Sep 25 (IANS/EFE) The toll in last week's heavy fighting between Shia Houthi rebels and government forces in Yemen's capital Sanaa has risen to 270, as rescue teams recovered more bodies, authorities said Wednesday.

At least 270 bodies of civilians and military personnel have been recovered in the neighbourhoods of north and west Sanaa where the clashes took place last week, Efe quoted Health Minister Ahmed al-Ansi as saying in a report presented to the council of ministers. According to the health ministry, the number of recovered bodies was 200 Monday.

The Houthis and the government Sunday signed a UN-brokered peace deal to end the armed conflict between the Houthi rebels and the army.

The peace agreement put an end to deadly clashes between the rebels and the army which broke out Sep 16 in north-western Sanaa and left more than 200 people killed, including about 50 civilians.

The Houthis, who took up arms in 2004, have controlled the northern province of Saada since 2010 and last week seized several government buildings in Sanaa.

--IANS/EFE

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