ADEN, Yemen, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Around four government troops and five Houthi fighters were killed on Tuesday in fighting between the two sides in the southeastern province of al-Bayda, a military official told Xinhua.

Scores of Houthi fighters launched an armed attack, accompanied by heavy shelling on the positions of government forces in the area of AlHumegan located in the southwest of al-Bayda province, the local military source said on condition of anonymity.

He said that the attack sparked armed confrontations that ended up in killing four government soldiers, including a field military commander, and wounding several others.

The source pointed out that the government forces repulsed the attack, and fought fierce battles with the Houthis causing unknown casualties among the Houthi assailants.

In a brief statement, the country's Defense Ministry said that the government forces backed by local tribesmen targeted the Houthi-controlled sites in al-Bayda, killing five Houthis and wounding others.

On the other hand, the pro-Houthi media outlets confirmed that the group's fighters launched an offensive on the positions of government forces in AlHumegan district, killing and wounding several pro-government soldiers including leaders.

Large areas of al-Bayda province are witnessing continuous fighting between the Yemeni government forces and the Houthis rebels who are attempting to expand their control to include areas in the country's southern and eastern part.

Yemen has been plagued by a civil war since late 2014 after Houthi rebels revolted against the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The rebels advanced from their far northern stronghold of Saada Province toward the south, and seized control over much of the country's north including Sanaa, thus triggering the civil war.