20 Houthis Martyred in al-Qaida Clashes, Attacks in Yemen

Local Editor

At least 20 Houthi rebels were martyred in clashes with al-Qaida militants and a car bombing in Yemen's central town of Rada, tribal sources said on Monday.

Overnight, al-Qaida militants blew up a vehicle parked near a house where the rebels were gathered in Rada, the sources said, adding that 12 rebels had also been captured in clashes.

Rada was rocked by heavy explosions late on Sunday amid fierce fighting between al-Qaida and the rebels, tribal and security sources said.

"Following the explosions, al-Qaida fighters attacked the rebels, deployed northeast of Rada and along a road," a tribal official said.

The Houthis or Ansarullah movement played a major role in the popular uprising since a popular uprising that forced former dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down after more than 33 years in power in 2012.

Yemen has been facing threats from al-Qaeda-linked militants, as well as a separatist movement in the country's southern region.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team