ADEN: At least 26 fighters were killed in clashes on Monday between pro-government troops and rebels over control of an oil-rich region east of the Yemeni capital, military sources said.

“Pro-government forces launched a military operation today to retake Sarwah,” a loyalist military source said of the only part of Marib province still held by the rebels.

Clashes and air raids by the Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government “killed 16 rebels and left dozens wounded,” the source said.

Ten pro-government soldiers were killed and 12 wounded in the fighting, he added.

Loyalist forces recaptured hills overlooking Sarwah, military sources said.