The rebels died in clashes in their stronghold of Saada.

Yemeni troops also re-opened a blocked highway in the northern provinces and seized a number of farms there that rebels were using as hideouts, the Defense Ministry’s online “September 26” newspaper said. Earlier this week Yemen rejected a truce offer from the rebels because they did not promise to end hostilities against neighboring Saudi Arabia. Riyadh, which last week declared a full victory over the infiltrators, was drawn into the conflict in November after they seized some Saudi territory.

“September 26” did not say when the clashes in Saada had taken place but reported that another rebel leader was wounded in the province of Dahyan on Saturday. The rebels say they have fully withdrawn from Saudi territory.

Yemen is also struggling with a secessionist movement in the south and is cracking down on a resurgent Al-Qaeda.

Western powers and Yemen’s neighbors fear the country’s instability could allow Al-Qaeda to strengthen its operations there and use it as a base for more international attacks.

The global militant group’s regional wing is based in Yemen and drew world attention when it claimed a failed bomb attack on a Detroit-bound plane in December.