Clash in south Yemen kills 2 soldier, 3 saboteurs

SANAA, Yemen – Yemeni military officials say a gunbattle between troops and a group of men trying to sabotage a power line in the south left two soldiers and three saboteurs dead.

The officials say the gunbattle started overnight in Marib province when soldiers tried to prevent an attack on the power line but the saboteurs opened fire at them.

The officials say the army is sending in reinforcements to the area. They spoke on condition of anonymity according to regulations.

Minister of Electricity Saleh Soubai said Saturday that former president Ali Abdullah Saleh had hired men to sabotage electricity towers that feed large parts of the country with power. Sanaa has been hit by black-outs for four days now.

Yemenis rallied Sunday in several cities and towns against fuel and electricity shortages.