Bodies 20 Saudi soldiers recovered after clashes with Yemen rebels

Riyadh - The Saudi government on Saturday said the bodies of 20 of the 26 soldiers who went missing during clashes with Yemen rebels have been recovered. Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Khaled bin Sultan made the announcement during a visit to towns along the kingdom's southern border with Yemen, where clashes with the Houthi rebels had taken place.

The territory around the border was now stable and secure, he said. Security groups are still searching for more bodies in the areas where fighting had occurred.

According to the commander of the southern region, Major General Ali Zaid al-Khawaji, 113 Saudi soldiers have died in the fighting and that between four and six soldiers are thought to be held captive by the Houthis.

The Yemeni government stepped up an offensive against the rebels in northern Saada province last August. Some three months later, the fighting spilled across the Saudi border, prompting a Saudi military offensive.

Prince Sultan on Saturday also announced plans for the construction of a military base in the area of Jazan which lies on the border with Yemen.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/305364,bodies-20-saudi-soldiers-recovered-after-clashes-with-yemen-rebels.html.