Yemeni rebel leader says war with Saudi Arabia is over, pulls out forces
By APMonday, January 25, 2010
Yemen: rebel leader wants peace with Saudi
SAN’A, Yemen — The leader of Yemen’s Shiite rebels has declared the war with Saudi Arabia over and says he will pull his fighters out of Saudi territory.
The rebel leader, Abdel-Malek al-Hawthi, says this is a “real chance” for peace between the two sides calling on Saudi Arabia to accept his unilateral ceasefire.
Yemen’s Hawthi rebels have been battling their own government since 2004 over neglect and discrimination.
Saudi forces entered the conflict after rebels crossed the border on Nov. 5, killing two Saudi border guards.
At least 133 Saudis soldiers have died in the months of fierce fighting in the rugged border region.
The rebel leader warned that if Saudi forces continue to attack Hawthi locations, he will order his men to fight back.
