Yemeni Forces Kill Anti-us Cleric

Yemeni forces yesterday killed an anti-American cleric and dozens of his supporters, apparently ending a rebellion that cost the lives of up to 600 civilians, rebels and troops, according to unofficial estimates.

Hussein al-Houthi, a former member of parliament and a prominent figure in the Shia Zaidi sect, had held out for more than two months in the mountainous Saada province against 2,000 troops, tanks and helicopter gunships.

Houthi, who had no connection with al-Qaida, led an organisation called Believing Youth whose teenage members caused disruption at mosques by shouting "Death to America, Death to Israel" after Friday prayers.

The youths were often arrested, only to return later and do it again. Although Houthi insisted he had no quarrel with the government beyond opposing its co-operation with the US, Yemeni officials accused him of setting up unauthorised religious schools, urging citizens to withhold taxes, supporting Hizbullah and trying to restore the long-abolished monarchy.

The government had offered a £30,000 reward for Houthi's capture. Several of his top aides were killed in July and August when most of the rebels' strongholds were seized, but the military also suffered heavy casualties. The Yemeni defence and interior ministries said yesterday that Houthi and a number of his aides had been killed.

"President Ali Abdullah Saleh urges all citizens who were affected by the fighting to return to their homes and carry on with their lives."