At least 68 fighters were killed Saturday in fighting between Yemeni troops and rebels in the north, military and tribal sources said even as the U.N. voiced alarm at ceasefire violations.
The casualties included 28 troops, according to military sources. Tribal sources said the Houthi rebels lost 40 men in heavy clashes near the northwestern town of Haradh that was overrun Thursday by government forces.
Some 50 Houthis and 40 loyalists were wounded in the fighting, the sources said.
Clashes intensified early Saturday as government forces attempted to advance towards the Red Sea port of Midi and as the rebels brought in reinforcements, tribal sources said.