[TIMELINE] Yemen's clashes

Hundreds have died since Yemen's Sunni-dominated government started a crackdown in January 2007 on rebels in the north it says are seeking to oust its secular administration and install Islamist rule.

Rebels led by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi say they are defending their villages in the remote northern mountainous Saada province against government aggression. Conflict between Houthis and the government has raged on and off since 2004.

2004

* June-August - The cleric Hussein al-Houthi, a representative of the al-Haq party in the Yemeni parliament from 1993 to 1997, starts an armed rebellion against the central government known as al-Shabaab al-Mo’men (The Believing Youth).

The protests led by Houthi and his supporters turn into violent clashes with government troops. The situation escalates to a full-blown rebellion.

Casualties are estimated to range from 80 to more than 600.

* August - Court sentences 15 men on terror charges, including bombing of Limburg tanker in 2002.

* September - Houthi and a couple of his aides are killed during a government operation against the rebels.

2005

* March-April - The armed revolt continues under the leadership of a couple of the late Houthi's family members and their supporters. Casualties from the clashes with government troops are estimated at more than 200.

* May - President Saleh declares the northern rebellion has agreed to renounce their revolt in return for a pardon. However, minor clashes continue.

2006

* March - More than 600 of the late cleric followers, captured in 2004, are freed under an amnesty.

2007

* January-March - Clashes between security troops and Houthi rebels in the north kill and injure countless more Yemenis.

* June - Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, leader of the northern rebels, accepts a truce.

* August - In increased security measures, firearms and demonstrations without a permit are now forbidden for citizens in Sanaa.

2008

* January - Clashes erupt between security forces and followers of Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.

* March-April - Bomb attacks are aimed at police, official, diplomatic, foreign business and tourism targets. The U.S. embassy evacuates all non-essential personnel.

* April - Clashes erupt with troops in the south of Yemen during protests against suspected northern inequalities in state job allocation. Only one casualty is reported.

* September - The Yemeni U.S. embassy in Sanaa is attacked. Eighteen casualties are reported among which are six assailants. Six suspects are arrested.

* October - Suspected Islamist militants allegedly linked to Israeli intelligence are arrested. President Saleh demands a reform.

2009

* August - More than 100 Shia rebel casualities are reported by government troops in a major offensive in Saada.