13 killed in fresh Yemen clashes

Fresh clashes between the Shiite Houthi militants and Sunni tribes left 13 more people dead in Yemen's Ibb province Saturday, a day after 19 people were killed and 27 injured in the same province, medics and officials said.

"At least 11 Houthis and two Sunni tribesmen were killed in clashes Saturday morning when the Sunni tribes attempted to drive out the Houthis in Yarim city in Ibb province," Xinhua quoted sources as saying.

Yemen's Shia Houthi rebels and Sunni tribal fighters agreed to a 24-hour ceasefire Saturday, an Al Jazeera report said.

The Shiite Houthi group advanced to the country's southern regions after they took control of the capital Sana'a in late September. However, they met increasing resistance from Sunni tribes and Al Qaeda militants, which have left dozens of people dead.

Tension in the area is high and fighting could turn into sectarian conflict, an official said adding that the roads linking Ibb with the central Taiz province and Sana'a were cut off.

Hundreds of families have fled their houses due to the fighting.

The Shiite Houthi groups have been expanding their influence southward after they signed a UN-sponsored ceasefire deal with the Yemeni government Sep 21 that put an end to week-long deadly clashes.

The deal also empowers the Houthi rebels to play an important role in forming a new cabinet and determining the future control of the army.