The Yemeni Army says it has killed three local Shia Zaidi leaders in an attack on their hideouts in Saada province in northern Yemen.
"Leaders of the Shia Zaidi were killed" in the attack at Malahidh, Yemen's official Saba news agency cited a military statement as saying on Friday.
According to the report, the three leaders were identified as Jarallah Mohammed Ismail, Ali Abd Rabbo Jabal and Abdel Aziz al-Uraimi.
The Yemeni army launched an offensive against the Shia Zaidis in Saada and Amran provinces three weeks ago.
On Monday, the Zaidi fighters offered a peace initiative to the Yemeni government to end the bloody clashes in Saada province and the surrounding areas, but the government's conditions for a ceasefire include Houthis' withdrawal from all districts of Saada and the mountainous sites and the return of military equipments they seized from the army.
Houthis who say they are defending themselves against religious oppression have vowed to fight until their rights are achieved.
Zaidi Shias --also known as Houthis-say Saudi Arabia and al-Qaeda are helping the Yemeni government in its crackdown on them.
The offensive, involving air, artillery and tank strikes, has so far left hundreds of people killed and over 100,000 others displaced.
Yemen's recent military offensive against Zaidi Shia fighers ---dubbed "Operation Scorched Earth"-- has left scores of civilians dead and thousands of others displaced.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has warned about the dire humanitarian situation in Saada province since fighting has prevented humanitarian aid from reaching the crisis-hit area.
According to UNHCR, Saada city has been practically cut off from the outside world for more than a week because of the offensive and ensuing clashes.
