The official said today 15 soldiers and 20 rebels have been killed in the ongoing battles between Hawthi rebels and tribesmen from the Islamist Islah Party in and around the city of Amran, northwest of the capital, Sanaa.
The official says national army units are fighting with the tribesmen and military warplanes targeted the rebels who tried to attack a government compound late yesterday.
The official provided the information on condition of anonymity according to his department's policies.