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Tuesday 09 February 2010 04:58 GMT

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Media blackout on Yemen conflict
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:27:19 GMT
A human rights group has warned that the media censorship in northern Yemen blocks accurate reporting on the humanitarian crisis in the Shiite-populated areas.

Heitham Manaa, the spokesman for the Paris-based Arab Human Rights group told Al-Alam that Yemeni government along with the Saudi army has launched a major crackdown on Houthi fighters in northern Saada province.

Manaa said the two-pronged war from north and south of the Saada province does not allow media reporters in.

He said Riyadh and Sanaa governments have taken advantage of the status quo and stage irregular war on the fighters, with many civilians caught in the crossfire.

Manaa also said both governments have resorted to blanket bombing of the area and use non-precision strike ammunition, which leaves huge number of casualties.

The human rights activists also criticized the Yemeni government for not allowing humanitarian supplies to the area.

However, he said some rights groups have found by-passes to the region to trickle food and medicine.

Manaa said the aid was not sufficient for the 70,000 to 100,000 internally displaced people in northern Yemen and warned the number of the IDPs is increasing incrementally.

Houthi fighters say they are defying the Sunni government's bias in the north and are fighting for their rights.

They also accuse the Saudi government of aiding Yemen in its clampdown on Shiites.
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