Rebel clashes in Yemen leave at least 49 dead

Tribal sources in Yemen say that Shia rebels attacking the Bin Aziz tribe in the northern Amran province of Yemen have left at least 49 people dead.

The clashes over the last four days between the rebels and supporters of the tribal chief Sheikh Sagheer Aziz have resulted in casualties on both sides.

Rebel spokesperson Mohammed Abdul Salam says that his militants have not been targeting tribal areas, insisting that fighting is directed at the army.

On Tuesday six MPs at the Yemeni parliament instigated a sit-in to show solidarity with Aziz, demanding that the government take action to end the alleged siege.

Another 62 MPs signed a petition requesting that the government assumes responsibility for what they call "the violations committed by the Shia rebels,” threatening to suspend their parliamentary membership if they fail to come to Aziz’s aid.

The Amran region and its neighbouring Saada province have faced sporadic clashes between rebels and government-backed tribes.

In clashes in Saada on Tuesday tribal chief Sheikh Zaidan al-Moqannay, his son and four of his bodyguards were killed in what they described as a rebels' ambush.

Accusations of breaches of the February ceasefire fly back and forward between the Huthi rebels and the government in what has now become a public slanging match with deadly consequences.