ABU DHABI, September 25 (RIA Novosti) - At least 50 people died in a fierce fighting between government troops and Shiite militants in Saada Province, Saudi newspaper Al Watan reported.

Emirate's newspaper Gulf News reported that more than 90 militants from Shiite rebel groups were arrested in the city of Saada.

Militant leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi threatened the country's government with an escalation of the conflict, saying "the real war has not started yet" and coming actions will be "incomparable with all previous clashes."

The armed conflict between Shiite militants and Yemeni government erupted in 2004, fed by Shiites' accusations of discrimination by the Sunni majority. Hundreds have died and thousands have fled their homes during the fighting, which escalated in August.