Sanaa, Sep 10 (Xinhua) Twelve Shia rebels and three Yemeni soldiers were killed in fighting in northern Yemen Wednesday, al-Jazeera TV reported.

The incident took place in the mountainous Saada province near the Saudi border.

The fighting between rebels and government forces started in the area about a month ago.

The Yemeni military said it attacked the strongholds of Shia rebels and recaptured the areas.

'Fighter jets have dealt a heavy blow to the rebels, killing many of them during the air strikes and troops have cleared the mountains of them (rebels) and taken up positions there,' the report said quoting a military source.