Report: Saudi toll in fighting Yemen rebels reaches 113, including senior officer
By APThursday, January 21, 2010
Saudi deaths in fight with Yemen rebels reach 113
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A Saudi army commander says his military has lost 113 troops since the kingdom launched a sweeping offensive against Yemen’s Shiite rebels in November.
Maj. Gen. Ali Zaid al-Khawaji says the dead include a senior Saudi officer. His body was found with those of two other soldiers after a battle last week to drive Yemeni Shiite rebels out of a border village.
The Al Riyadh newspaper reported al-Khawaji’s figure on Thursday. It’s a significant jump from last week’s toll, which stood at 82 dead and 470 wounded.
Yemen’s Hawthi rebels have been battling their own government since 2004 over neglect and discrimination. When the rebels crossed the border into Saudi Arabia and killed two border guards in November, the kingdom’s military joined the fray.
