Fighting between Shiite rebels, Sunni tribesmen, and Salafists in Yemen's northern region has left at least 23 dead over the past two days, according to Agence France-Presse Sunday.
At least 10 people were killed in the province of Jawf during clashes between Shiites and members of the Daham tribe, and seven others were killed in Harf Sufyan which is located in the northern province of Amran. Two others reportedly died in shelling attacks in Dammaj. Four others were killed in similar clashes Saturday.
Most of the fighting between the religious sects has centered around a Salafist mosque and a Quranic school near the town of Dammaj for months. The Shiites who control the area known as Huthis have violently clashed with Sunni counterparts who are "wary" of Huthis "power" in the area.
Huthis have already allegedly destroyed the Salafist Dar Al Hadith Religious School along with 20 homes and have warned guards to evacuate the border near Saudi Arabia in Jawf.
Huthis have been in conflict with the central government for over a decade, but the recent growth of Salafists in the Saada province has escalated sectarian tensions in northern Yemen to a new, unprecedented level.
Yemeni's President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi dispatched mediators to the areas of fighting on Saturday.
