Nov. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabia pounded Yemeni Shiite rebels with aircraft and artillery fire in an attempt to clear them from its territory, Jazan News said on its Web site.

Shelling is ongoing to target rebels in Jabal al-Dokhan, or the mountain of smoke, the Saudi Web site said, without saying where it got the information. Saudi forces killed 50 rebels and captured 40 since starting the military operation, Arab News reported, citing an unidentified government official.

Saudi Arabia began its military campaign in the mountainous border region in the southern Jazan province after the rebels seized territory and killed a Saudi border guard, the state- owned Saudi Press Agency said yesterday, citing a government official it didn’t name. Saudi Arabia has increased its forces in the region and evacuated villages in response, SPA said.

Saudi Arabia has expressed concern that Yemen’s conflict with the rebels, the Houthi group, in the northwestern region may cross the 1,458 kilometer (906-mile) border they share. Yemen, which has a majority-Sunni Muslim population, accuses Shiite-led Iran, the main regional rival to Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia, of arming the insurgents.

To contact the reporter on this story: Glen Carey in Riyadh at gcarey8@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 7, 2009 04:54 EST