'Dozens killed' in Yemen strike

Saana, 21 Dec-(ANA)-Rebels in northern Yemen say at least 54 people have been killed in an airstrike by Saudi Arabian planes.

Reports of the attack on Sunday came from a rebel spokesman and could not be verified immediately.

Last week the rebels accused Saudi Arabia of killing 70 civilians in an airstrike on the border between the two countries.

Yemeni government and Saudi Arabian forces have been fighting the rebels, known as Houthis, since August.

"The town of al-Nadeer was targeted by air-strikes and 54 civilians, including women and children, were killed," a spokesman for the rebels told news agency Agence France Presse.

The rebels also posted the details on their website.

But independent media and aid agency access to the northern region of Saada, where the bombings are said to have taken place, is restricted. (ANA)

FA/ANA/21 December 2009---