ADEN, Yemen, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Intense fighting between Yemeni government forces and the Houthi rebels continued to rock the southern province of al-Dhalea on Tuesday, a military official told Xinhua.
Both warring sides engaged in fierce armed confrontations in the northern parts of the government-controlled province of al-Dhalea, the military official said on condition of anonymity.
The Yemeni government forces, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, launched a large military operation in an attempt to repulse the advancing Houthis in al-Dhalea, the source said.
Scores of fighters from both sides had been killed or injured in the fighting which is still going on in the area, the official added.
Local residents said huge blasts rocked the northern parts of al-Dhalea re a result of the airstrikes launched by the Saudi-led coalition on the Houthi-held sites.
Houthis advanced into the government-controlled areas during the past few days despite the intensified aerial bombardment by the Saudi-led warplanes, according to the residents.
The areas in the north and west of al-Dhalea have been witnessing continuous fighting between government forces and Houthi fighters for nearly four years.
Yemen has been plagued by a civil war since late 2014 after Houthi rebels revolted against the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
The Yemeni war was triggered after the rebels advanced from their far northern stronghold of Saada Province toward the south, and seized much of the country's north, including the capital Sanaa.
