Yemen separatists shut shops, schools in south
* Separatists force closure of shops, schools in south
* Northern rebels say shot down plane, government denies it
ADEN, Yemen, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Armed separatists forced the closure of shops and schools in southern Yemen on Tuesday, in a bid to increase pressure on the poor Arab state's government.
It was a new tactic by the activists who have long complained that the government and northerners exploit and discriminate against the south, which holds most of Yemen's oil facilities.
In Zinjibar, a provincial capital, armed supporters of the Southern Movement enforced the closure of shops, schools and work places, residents and news websites said.
"Stores, schools and work facilities are all closed, and city streets are almost deserted, except for armed elements ... as if during a war," the opposition website alsahwa-yemen.net said.
In the north, where the government faces a war with Shi'ite rebels, the insurgents said on their website (almenpar.com) that they had shot down a Yemeni air force plane late on Monday.
The military denied the report, according to the state-run 26sep.net website.
Two Yemeni fighter planes have crashed in past fighting, with the rebels claiming to have shot them down and the government blaming technical faults.
The northern rebels, who belong to the minority Zaidi Shi'ite Muslin sect, also complain of neglect and oppression.
Neighbouring Saudi Arabia was recently drawn into the northern conflict when rebels seized some Saudi territory.
The Saudi air force renewed its air attacks on several locations near the border late on Monday, the rebels said on their website.
There was no immediate reaction from Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, which fears growing instability in Yemen is giving al Qaeda an opportunity to strengthen its foothold there. (Reporting by Mohammed Mokhashaff and Mohamed Sudam; writing by Firouz Sedarat; Editing by Noah Barkin)
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