The Yemeni government said on Thursday it had captured 20 northern gunmen fighting for autonomy including two rebel leaders, while the Shi'ite rebels posted a video of government troops it said were captured in recent fighting.
According to Reuters, the interior ministry said 12 gunmen surrendered to them in Saada on Wednesday as the old city was "cleansed" of sleeper cells. "This is an important indicator of the state of complete collapse among the rebel gangs," a statement on the state news agency Saba said.
In a separate announcement a Yemeni security official was quoted as saying that eight rebels were captured in old Saada, including two leaders called Ibrahim Abd al-Ilah al-Hashhoush and Qassem Abdullah Bashir.
The rebels, known as Houthis, said on their website they had captured 90 troops. They posted video footage of some of them standing in front of a poster saying "God is great, death to America, death to Israel", giving their names and military position.
© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
