Five killed، several others injured in clashes in Marib‏‏

Five people were killed and several others injured in intense clashes between Yemeni security forces and tribal gunmen in the country’s oil-rich northeastern province of Marib، a government official said.

The local government official said on Friday، speaking under the condition of anonymity، "Following a dispute over oil supplies، armed confrontations are still ongoing between the security forces and tribal gunmen in the neighbourhoods of the provincial capital Marib، leaving five people killed and several others injured."

In an effort to secure oil derivatives to fuel their petrol stations، heavily deployed tribal gunmen had begun to block important roadways to government buildings، the official continued.

The government forces sought to reopen some blocked roads and protect the institutions، and heavy fighting with the gunmen ensued in the strategic Yemeni city، he said.

Explosions were heard in the city and flames were seen rising in the area، local residents confirmed to Xinhua by phone.

According to Xinhua news agency، the country’s government forces، backed by Saudi Arabia، control the province and frequently clash with the Houthi rebel militia in areas near the capital city.

The war in Yemen flared in late 2014 when the Houthi group seized control over much of the country’s north and forced the internationally recognised government out of the capital Sanaa.