Saudi troops launch an attack to retake a village held by Shiite Yemeni rebels

Saudi troops backed by tanks and helicopter gunships launched an attack Sunday to retake a border village held by Shiite Yemeni rebels, a Saudi military official said.

He said the operation targeted the southwestern village of al-Jabiri some 600 miles (966 kilometres) from the Saudi capital Riyadh. The official gave no further details on the attack or said whether there were any casualties. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The al Houthi rebels said Saturday they had taken al-Jabiri, which the Saudis say is a tiny outpost protected by a small number of border guards and surrounded by Yemeni territory from three sides. Source: Canadian press