15 Yemeni rebels, 8 soldiers killed in clashes

Loyalists attacked Houthi rebels and their allies, renegade troops loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, at Heess, on the road linking the city of Taez with Hodeida port, on the Red Sea coast, officials said.The attack aimed to block the road leading to the rebel-held port, the officials said.The second attack targeted rebels in Al-Hameli area, north of the port of Mokha, which was recaptured by government forces in February as part of a major ongoing offensive to drive rebels from the lengthy Red Sea coastline.Several soldiers were wounded in the clashes, officials said.Warplanes from the Saudi-led Arab coalition backed government forces in the attacks, officials said.