Over 270 killed , Houthis suffer heavy losses‏

Heavy fighting in Yemen between pro-government forces and the rebels killed more than 270 people in the past 10 days, government officials and tribal leaders said Wednesday.

The officials said forces of the internationally recognized government dealt a heavy blow to the rebels, known as Houthis, in the provinces of Marib, Jawf and Bayda.

The Saudi-led coalition backing the government of President Abed Rabou Mansour Hadi carried out more than 370 airstrikes against the Houthis in less than two weeks, the officials said.

They said the clashes have left more than 270 dead and at least 300 wounded from both sides, with the Houthis suffering heavy losses.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media, while the tribal leaders did so for fear of reprisals.

Abdu Abdullah Magli, spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, said according to the New York Times, they wrested control of the strategic Hilan mountains, west of the oil-rich province of Marib about 115 kilometers (70 miles) east of the Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa.

He said the government forces reclaimed the Labnat military camp in Jawf province and were progressing toward the strategic northern city of Hazm, the provincial capital of Jawf.