Dozens killed in fighting north of Sanaa

SANAA: At least 50 people have been killed in fighting betwen Yemeni troops and Houthi rebels north of Sanaa, as supporters of the Shia group continue to rally against the government in the capital.

Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Sanaa, said the deadly clashes have been ongoing in the province of Jawf over the last few days, in what is seen as a crucial fight for both groups.

At least 20 of those killed were from the army and armed pro-government groups, while 30 were from the Houthi side.

“Both are fighting to control a strategic junction on the main road that link the capital to Jawf and Maarib provinces,” he said.

“Whoever makes gains there will consolidate its presence in the area, and also control a main road that lead to the capital Sanaa.”

Analysts said the rebels are trying to establish themselves as the dominant political force in the northern highlands, where Shia are the majority community.

‘Psychological warfare’

Hundreds of thousands of people rallied in Sanaa on Friday in support of the beleaguered government, as a large number of its opponents held a counter-demonstration vowing to intensify their protests until the cabinet resigns.

The rebels called for further action against the government, who they accuse of corruption and whose resignation they have been demanding.

Protesters called for an escalation of the situation, and a senior member of the Houthis politburo called for “civil disobedience” and urged supporters to join in new protests on Sunday and Monday to keep up the pressure on the government.

As protesters step up pressure for the government to resign, Ahelbarra said that the Houthis and their supporters have threatened to block roads leading to the capital, and move closer to the airport.

“They are waging some sort of psychological warfare. It’s quite tense tense here,” he said. Yemen has been locked in a protracted transition since long-time president Ali Abdullah Saleh was forced from power in February 2012 after a deadly 11-month uprising. Agencies

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Mirwaiz, Malik, other leaders visit flood-hit areas

Yasin assures IoK flood victims of every possible help

Srinagar (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, expressing grief and sorrow over the loss of human lives and property caused due to floods and rains has assured the affected people of every possible help at the hour of need.

Muhammad Yasin Malik talking to people at various areas of Srinagar hit by heavy flood and rains, today, said that the whole Kashmir had been hit by a natural catastrophe.He directed the party activists and well wishers to help in whatever way they can and perform their duty to facilitate the victims who had became homeless and helpless.

People on the occasion apprised Yasin Malik of their immediate needs.

The JKLF Chairman said that to save the affected people from flood water they need boats. We appeal to houseboat association, Shikara Association and other related organizations to provide their immediate help to the victims, he added.

Yasin Malik was accompanied by party leaders including Noor Muhammad Kalwal, Showkat Ahmed Bakhshi, Sheikh Abdul Rasheed and Bashir Ahmed Kashmiri accompanied.

Meanwhile, In occupied Kashmir, the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and the Chief of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Muhammad Yasin Malik, have expressed profound grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives and property due to the heavy rains and flashfloods in the territory.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq along with other APHC leaders, today, visited flood-hit areas of Srinagar and Badgam. He expressed solidarity with the affected people and distributed relief goods among them. He urged the masses to help all their brothers and sisters who were facing difficulties due to this natural calamity. The Mirwaiz was accompanied by Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi, Hilal Ahmed War, Hakeem Abdur Rasheed, Shahid-ul-Islam and other leaders.Muhammad Yasin Malik along with party leaders including Noor Muhammad Kalwal, Showkat Ahmed Bakhshi and Sheikh Abdul Rasheed went to different areas of Srinagar and reviewed the devastation caused by the natural disaster. Speaking to the people on the occasion, he assured them of every possible help in this hour of dire need.

APHC leaders Javed Ahmad Mir and Imtiyaz Reshi during their visit to various flood-affected areas of Srinagar sympathized with the affectees. They urged the people to face this situation by helping one other.

On the other hand, three puppet ministers, Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Sakina Itoo and Mir Saifullah, had to face the wrath of the people at Pantha Chhok in Srinagar for not paying heed to their miseries following the flashed floods caused by the persistent rains in the territory.

The angry people intercepted the cavalcades of the puppet ministers while they were on their way to Islamabad town and hurled stone on their vehicles. Agencies

The security guards of the so-called ministers resorted to aerial firing to disperse the angry mob.

More than one hundred people have died so far in the devastating floods and torrential rains in the occupied territory. Some 150 villages in the territory particularly in South Kashmir have submerged under the water, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes and move to safer places. The supply of power, water and essential commodities has been snapped. Srinagar-Jammu Highway, the only surface link of the Kashmir Valley to the world, has been closed due to landslides at several places.

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