Yemen rebels say 120 killed in US airstrikes

16 Dec, 2009 15:47 / Updated 14 years ago

Rebels in Northwest Yemen are accusing the United States of killing at least 120 people and wounding 44 in air strikes.

They have posted videos on the Internet, allegedly showing the aftermath of the attack.

The rebels' website claims US fighter jets hit populated areas such as markets and refugee camps. Meanwhile, the US has denied any direct involvement in military operations in Yemen.

RT contributor Wayne Madsen says although the rebels do not provide evidence, their accusations of the US may be grounded:

“It’s pretty well confirmed that Saudi Arabian fighter jets have hit the Houthi positions in Sa’dah province in North Yemen. These individuals obviously know that the Saudis and the United States are very close military allies. They may be mistaking Saudi aircrafts for American. But they do know who supports the Saudis.”



Yemen and Saudi Arabia have been conducting an offensive against the Shia tribesmen for almost two months now.

The American military say Yemen is becoming a “reserve base” for Al Qaeda activities in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Aid workers in Afghanistan have said US-led air strikes are responsible for hundreds of civilian deaths there.