At least 30 Yemeni soldiers were killed in coalition airstrikes and subsequent clashes on Wednesday after troops attempted to defect to Iran-backed rebel troop near the border with Saudi Arabia, according to a military source.
Saudi-led coalition jets, which have bombed Yemeni rebel positions since March, intervened when “dozens of soldiers defected and announced their support” for Shiite Houthi rebels on Tuesday, prompting clashes with pro-government troops, the military source said.
The incident took place at the 23rd Mechanised Brigade, stationed near the border with Saudi Arabia and left “at least 30 soldiers killed and dozens wounded” on both sides, he told.
“Armoured vehicles and troop carriers were destroyed or damaged” in the air raids and clashes between rival units before the situation was brought under control, the source added.
Troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh have joined forces with the Houthi rebels, who seized the capital almost unresisted in September before advancing southwards in the impoverished Gulf country.
Saudi Arabia fears the Houthis are trying to bring Yemen under the influence of Shiite Iran.
