One rebel killed near Yemen's capital

SANAA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- At least one rebel was killed and two others wounded late Tuesday when Yemeni government troops heavily shelled the rebels' hideouts in an area northeast of Sanaa, a local official said.

"One armed tribesman was killed and two others were injured late Tuesday in heavy shelling by the Republican Guards in Samaa military base that targeted several hideouts of the rebels in Arhab district," the official told Xinhua, requesting anonymity.

The official added that the death toll might increase in the next few hours as the shelling is continuing.

The volatile district, about 60 km northeast of Sanaa, has been the front line of almost daily clashes between opposition fighters and Saleh's elite Republican Guards since late May.

Defense Ministry said the opposition militants were seeking to capture the military base, the Sanaa International Airport and northern entrances to Sanaa.

Yemen has been gripped by a political crisis since late January when protests demanding the end of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's 33-year rule erupted.