Sana'a, Yemen - Shiite rebels on Wednesday claimed that they repulsed two attacks by government forces intent on driving them from their strongholds in north-western Yemen.

The al-Houthi rebel group said in a statement emailed to the German Press Agency dpa that it held off attempts by government forces to advance on two fronts in the restive neighbouring provinces of Saada and Amran.

"Authorities have made two failed attempts to advance in Harf Sufian district of Amran province and al-Minzala in Saada province, but they retreated," the statement said.

The statement said an army tank and two armoured personnel carriers were destroyed during the firefight.

The government reported on Sunday that the operation in Harf Sufian had been completed after its forces restored control over the district from the rebels.

Army forces have been hounding rebel bases in Saada, on the border with Saudi Arabia, in a massive onslaught since August 11.

Scores of insurgents, civilians and troops have been killed in the past two weeks. Tens of thousands have been displaced from their villages.

The rebels belong to the outlawed al-Houthi group, led by Abdul- Malik al-Houthi.

Authorities accuse the Shiite group of seeking to restore the rule of the Zaydi royal family, known as imams, who were toppled by a republican revolution in northern Yemen in 1962. (dpa)