Clashes, drone strike \\\'kill dozens\\\' in Yemen

SANAA, Oct 25 (AFP): Fighting between Shiite rebels and Sunni tribesmen allied to Al-Qaeda has left dozens dead in central Yemen, while a suspected US drone strike killed 10 jihadists, tribal sources said Saturday.
The rebels, known as Huthis, have been facing fierce resistance from Al-Qaeda fighters and tribesmen as they seek to expand their areas of control after seizing the capital Sanaa and the Red Sea port city of Hudeida.
Clashes broke out on Friday evening when Huthi fighters trying to wrest control of the mountains around the central town of Rada, in Baida province, met resistance from Sunni militias, tribal sources said.
"They were repelled each time with heavy losses," a tribal source told AFP by telephone. "The fighting killed dozens, particularly among Huthi ranks."
Another tribal source said Huthi rebels had been trying to bolster their presence in the province after failing to take full control of Rada.
The source said Huthi fighters were assisted by artillery units from the Yemeni army, although this could not be independently verified.
Two vehicles carrying suspected Al-Qaeda militants near the combat zone were struck by a missile fired from an unmanned drone, leaving 10 dead, according to tribal sources. Yemen is a key US ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda, allowing Washington to conduct a longstanding drone war against the group on its territory.