21 killed as Yemen tribes fight Houthi militia in Lahj

At least 21 Yemeni Shiite rebels were killed Friday when residents in a tribal southern region opened fire at their vehicles, a local official and witnesses told AFP.

The Houthi rebels were travelling in three vehicles from Lahj province towards Aden, the southern stronghold of embattled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, when they were ambushed.

The attack took place just 15 kilometres (about nine miles) north of Aden, where tensions were high on Friday as the rebels clashed with the "popular committees" -- an anti-Houthi militia controlling parts of the city, security officials and residents said.