Four killed in Yemen clash

Tribal fighters backed by secessionists clashed with Yemeni security forces in the southern port city of Aden Friday, leaving at least four people dead, a government official told Xinhua news agency.

"Tribal gunmen intercepted a car carrying a top military commander in Aden's neighbourhood of Khor Maksar, sparking a short clash with security forces in the area," the official said on condition of anonymity.

"The gunmen tried to abduct the military commander, but the security forces foiled their attempt after a brief shootout that left three gunmen and one soldier killed," the source said.

Also Friday, a military official survived a roadside bomb attack targeting his motorcade in the nation's southeastern Hadramout province.

"The motorcade of General Abdul-Rahman Halily was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) that hit his car in the historical city of Shibam in Hadramout province," an army source told Xinhua over phone.

The general escaped the bomb attack unharmed, while three of his bodyguards were killed on the spot, according to the source who asked to remain anonymous.

On Feb 6, the Shia Houthi group announced a unilateral move to dissolve the parliament and form a presidential council. The takeover was rejected by Yemen's political parties and denounced by the Gulf Arab states.

The security situation deteriorated in Yemen in January when the Shia Houthi group seized the presidential palace in Sanaa after deadly clashes with presidential guards. President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and Prime Minister Khaled Bahah submitted resignations Jan 22.

The Shia Houthi group, also known as Ansarullah and based in the far northern province of Saada, has been expanding its influence southward since signing a UN-sponsored peace and power-sharing deal Sep 21, 2014, following deadly clashes.