The Yemeni government says it has inflicted "heavy losses" on Shia fighters in the latest fighting in the north of the country.
At least 17 suspected Houthi fighters, named after the group's leader, were killed overnight in clashes in the mountainous province of Saada, local news agencies reported on Thursday.
"The army and security forces have inflicted heavy losses upon the saboteurs and the rebels whether in terms of lives or equipment," the Saba news agency quoted a local official as saying.
Several vehicles carrying aid, ammunition and weaponry were destroyed as military aircraft bombarded the area, the military said.
The conflict between the ethnic Zaidi fighters, loyal to Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, and government forces first broke out in 2004, but last month the fighting intensified as the group pushed to topple the government.
Thousands of people have fled the fighting and aid groups have warned of a possible humanitarian crisis in the remote region.
A brief ceasefire was agreed on Friday after aid agencies asked to be allowed assess to help the displaced, but fighting resumed after just four hours.
UN agencies estimate the conflict has added another 50,000 to 100,000 people to those previously left homeless by earlier fighting in the poorest Arab nation.
PHOTO CAPTION
Undated picture from the Yemen army shows a soldier during a clash in Saada province.
Al-Jazeera