Limited reports of fighting after Apr-May escalation between al-Houthi Shiite rebels and govt forces in north. Yet 20 June al-Houthi statement said clashes continuing with several civilians killed, hundreds of homes destroyed. Opposition socialist party official 20 June said no electricity, water in Saada city and number of displaced growing. Court 9 June sentenced man to death, jailed 13 others for forming armed group linked to al-Houthi Shiite rebels. Govt said arrested suspected al-Qaeda member and 4 others in east 25 June.

Intense fighting between Yemeni forces, al-Houthi Shiite rebels continued in north, approached capital. Clashes 3 May left 5 rebels dead; group claimed govt airstrikes killed scores of civilians. Heavy govt shelling reported late May around Bani Heshiash near Sanaa: casualties unconfirmed. Qatari mediators in Yemen early May attempted to revive ceasefire – left without deal. Mosque bomb 2 May Saada killed 15; al-Houthi denied involvement. Mosque shooting Kohal 31 May killed 8; govt said criminal. Al Qaeda-linked group claimed failed mortar attacks on Sanaa Italian embassy 30 Apr, oil refinery 31 May. ICRC said some 100,000 affected by violence in north, over 40,000 displaced Saada city alone. Official said 29 May 11 al-Qaeda suspects arrested.

Violent rioting and govt crackdown unsteadied south, while collapse of Feb peace agreement threatened in north. Fortnight of clashes between security forces and protestors in southern cities reportedly left 1 demonstrator dead; some 20 police, 30 civilians injured. Demonstrations started end- March over alleged discrimination in govt, army jobs. Large- scale fighting reported in north – including 18 killed in clashes between al-Houthi Shiite rebels and govt-aligned forces; at least another 8 killed 29 Apr – but details scarce due to media blackout. Bomb attack 16 Apr at military checkpoint in Marib province killed 3 soldiers. UN put up blast walls, closed some offices mid-month after projectiles hit foreigners’ housing complex in Saana 6 Apr – attack reportedly claimed by al- Qaeda. Blast near Italian embassy 30 Apr. MP shot dead 18 Apr in north; circumstances unclear.

Mortar attack 18 March targeting U.S. embassy in Sanaa wounded 13 girls at nearby school and 5 soldiers; al-Qaeda-linked group Yemen Soldiers Brigades claimed responsibility. Both government and al-Houthi Shiite rebels claimed breaches of Feb ceasefire.

Fighting between al-Houthi Shiite rebels and government continued in northern Saada province early Feb despite 1 Feb ceasefire brokered by Qatar. Clashes restarted in Jan after breakdown of June 2007 Qatari-mediated deal. 14 killed 3 Feb in Haidan district, west of Saada. 27 Feb U.S. criticised release on bail of al-Qaeda militant wanted for 2000 U.S. warship bombing.

June 2007 ceasefire between government and Al-Houthi Shiite rebels in ruins after 30 killed in clashes in northern Saada province 9-10 Jan. State of emergency declared. 3 protestors, 1 police killed during demonstration for greater rights in southern city of Aden, 13 Jan. Protest coincided with Forum for Reconciliation and Forgiveness aimed at reducing north-south tension. 3 killed, including 2 Belgian tourists, as convoy attacked Wadi Dawan desert valley, 18 Jan: government alleged al-Qaeda involvement.

Clashes between tribesmen and army personnel protecting Ukrainian oil company in Shabwa province killed 16, including 6 civilians, 8 November.

Police and demonstrators clashed leaving 2 dead 2 September. Protests were over rise in price of goods. President Ali Abdullah Saleh told opposition leaders he wants to cut the presidential term from 7 to 5 years, reduce parliamentary term to 4 and reserve 15% of parliament seats for women.

Security forces clashed with militants near Marib 8 August, killing 4. Dead included alleged mastermind of 2 July bomb that killed 8 Spanish tourists. Ceasefire between government and al-Houthi rebels in Sa’ada in question as negotiation committee stalled amid accusation-trading, and fighting still reported.

June ceasefire between government and Al-Houthi rebels strained after rebels missed deadlines to handover weapons and withdraw from certain positions. Positive late- month meeting between ceasefire committee and Al-Houthi leader reported. Suspected al-Qaeda suicide bomber killed 8 Spanish tourists and 2 Yemenis in Marib 2 July.