Yemen's Houthis claim major attack on Saudi border

Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed that they took captive more than 2,000 Saudi troops, without offering evidence. However, on the condition of anonymity Yemeni military officials stated that captured fighters were recruited informally by the Saudi-led coalition.

Sanaa: Yemen's rebels on Sunday claimed that they launched a major attack on the border of Saudi Arabia, releasing a video purporting to show captive Saudi soldiers and equipment.

The images of the attack released by the rebels, known as Houthis, show armoured vehicles with stencilled Saudi markings, arms and ammunition the rebels claim they seized.

The video also shows fighting in a mountainous area, with Houthi fighters apparently attacking Saudi troops in armoured vehicles.

The kingdom did not immediately acknowledge the attack. A Saudi-led coalition has been battling the Houthis on behalf of an internationally recognised Yemeni government since 2015.

Yahia Sarie, a spokesman for Houthi forces, claimed in a news conference on Sunday that the rebels took captive more than 2,000 troops, without offering evidence.

He also said that the prisoners "will be treated according to the ethics and the customs on the basis of a deal to exchange the prisoner of war
(POW) with the aggressors."

Yemeni military officials said on Sunday that the soldiers the Houthis claimed they captured were fighters recruited informally by the Saudi-led coalition.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief media.

Yemen's stalemated war has killed tens of thousands of people, badly damaged Yemen's infrastructure and crippled its health system.