Yemen govt. forces bomb northern town

Yemen's government said on Monday it had killed at least 20 rebels and lost seven of its own men in the latest fighting in north Yemen where Shi'ite Zaydi Muslims oppose central government control. "The air hawks succeeded in directing painful blows to the elements of terrorism," a statement quoted a military source as saying, referring to several districts in Saada province. The statement said 20 people died, including five leaders among the rebels of the Zaydi sect, in clashes. The government says the ordinary residents of Saada do not support the uprising against central authority, which began in 2004. The rebels, referred to as Houthis after the clan of their leaders, acknowledged the air bombardment. "Bombing intensified on the city of Dahyan causing huge damage to the houses of citizens, commercial enterprises and public and private property," a statement said.