Dec. 13, 09 (Hamsayeh.Net) - Northern Yemen fighters known as Houthis have been battling Saudi forces' intrusions across the border into Sa'ada region for the past several days. According to reports, latest Saudi air-strikes on civilian population killed over 70 and injured 100 others in the northern district of Razeh and southern village of Al-Jabiri about 1000 km from Saudi capital Riyadh. 

 

The ongoing conflict between Houthi fighters and the government of Yemen forces on one hand and increasing battles with Saudi Arabian forced, on the other, have left tens of thousands of local villagers stranded in the war zone facing shortages on food and medical supplies. ‘Shortages of food and other commodities have pushed the prices sharply upwards and more and more people are unable to afford their basic needs.’ UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic told reporters in Geneva on Sunday.

 

Houthi fighters claim use of banned phosphorous weapons by Saudi forces in the northeastern province of Sa'ada on civilians inside Yemen. Riyadh denies it is bombing positions inside Yemen but insists that its forces are bombing Houthi controlled villages inside its own territory.

 

The fighting in northern Yemen is about the plight of Houthi people who have deep-rooted grievances of being historically marginalized by the government of Yemen.

 

Last August, Sanaa launched a military offensive named Scorched Earth against the Houthis but hasn’t been able to crush the uprising. Saudi Arabia entered the scene clearly supporting the government in Yemen against Houthis. Riyadh sent its army to fight alongside the border with Yemen and Saudi airplanes continue bombardment of villages.  Thousands of local people in the area have been displaced by the ongoing skirmishes.

 

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