Fierce fighting in Yemen oil region Sarwah kills 26

A Yemeni oil worker looks out at the Aden oil refinery after it was re-actived on Monday, following a year of closure due to the on going conflict between pro-government forces and Shiite Huthi rebels near the southern embattled port city of Aden. (AFP)

ADEN: At least 26 fighters were killed in clashes on Monday between pro-government troops and rebels over control of an oil-rich region east of the Yemeni capital, military sources said.
“Pro-government forces launched a military operation today to retake Sarwah,” a loyalist military source said of the only part of Marib province still held by the rebels.
Clashes and air raids by the Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government “killed 16 rebels and left dozens wounded,” the source said.
Ten pro-government soldiers were killed and 12 wounded in the fighting, he added.
Loyalist forces recaptured hills overlooking Sarwah, military sources said.