Yemeni security officials and witnesses say al-Qaida fighters have publicly shot to death six Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, in a town north of Aden.
The witnesses, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said al-Qaida made the captured Houthi fighters, who were in their early 20s, kneel and kiss their hands before shooting them yesterday in Dar Saad.
A witness said one of the rebels begged to be spared, saying he was the sole supporter of his family. But the witness said an al-Qaida fighter responded "Shut up, you dog," before he and the others opened fire.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to brief reporters.
