Six Shia rebels killed in Yemen

At least six members of the Shia Houthi group have been killed in a blast near Yemen's capital Sanaa, a media report said Tuesday.

The explosion occurred at the international airport in Rada town, south of Sanaa, Tuesday as the Shia rebels were trying to impose their authority by setting up a check post, Al Arabia News reported.

The Shia group had earlier clashed with airport security personnel leaving four people dead, the report said.

The group, based in the far northern province of Saada, has been expanding its influence southward after signing a UN-sponsored ceasefire deal with the Yemeni government Sep 21.

The deal put an end to week-long deadly clashes, and also empowered Houthi rebels, who control Sanaa, to play an important role in forming a new cabinet and determining the future control of the army.