Yemen bombs Shiite rebels stronghold near Saudi

By AHMED AL-HAJ, Associated Press Writer

SAN'A, Yemen – Shiite rebels and local officials say Yemeni forces, using artillery and aircraft, bombed several rebel strongholds in a province bordering Saudi Arabia in a major escalation of the conflict.

A health ministry official in Saada province says 12 people have been killed.

The health ministry official and other local officials in Saada spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Rebel spokesman Mohammed Abdel-Salam says government forces targeted numerous areas throughout the northern province. He says there were many casualties, but did not have specific information.

The five-year-old rebellion in Saada province pits Shiite Muslims against a Sunni-led government.