San’a, Yemen ? The Yemeni government dispatched more helicopter-borne troops Wednesday to encircle a rugged mountain hideout and cut off water deliveries to the region where a renegade tribe is holding five Italian tourists hostage.

The Associated Press saw dozens of soldiers emerge from helicopters in the Jahan area of Marib province, near where security officials say the kidnappers are holed up with their captives. Other helicopters could be seen flying low through the mountains, apparently trying to spot the tribesmen.

The Italians were taken captive Sunday. Tribal elders, who had been negotiating with the kidnappers, said the hostages still were held somewhere in the vast Sirwah region of Marib province, about 75 miles northeast of San’a.

The government, showing its growing impatience with the standoff, stopped delivering water to communal tanks in the area Tuesday, a government official said on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the press.