SANAA: Yemeni troops and a US drone struck positions held by Al-Qaeda suspects and tribes on Sunday killing over a dozen insurgents who have been battling Huthis rebels, tribal sources said.

Huthis have been facing fierce resistance from Al-Qaeda fighters and tribesmen as they seek to expand their areas of control after seizing the capital Sanaa and the Red Sea port city of Hudeida.

Clashes broke out on Friday evening when Huthi fighters trying to wrest control of the mountains around the central town of Rada, in Baida province, met resistance from militias, tribal sources said.

On Sunday, the rebels took over several of these areas after a suspected US drone and army jets raided the positions held by Al-Qaeda and the tribesmen, tribal sources said.

One source said that “20 Al-Qaeda militants” were killed in the strikes, although the toll could not be confirmed from independent sources.