Soldiers loyal to Yemen's government raise their weapons following a training exercise in the country's southwestern city of Taiz on December 14, 2015. (Reuters photo)
At least 68 people were killed today in fighting between troops and Shiite rebels in northern Yemen, military and tribal sources said, as the UN voiced alarm at ceasefire violations.
The casualties included 28 troops, according to military sources.
Tribal sources said the Huthi rebels lost 40 men in heavy clashes near the northwestern town of Haradh, which was overrun Thursday by government forces.
Some 50 Huthis 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.
Government forces trained in nearby Saudi Arabia crossed the border from the kingdom on Thursday and seized Haradh.