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 Wednesday afternoon 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 shouted Allahu Akbar (God is greatest) and opened fire.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to brief reporters.