Further deadly clashes in Yemen

Clashes between Houthi rebels and local tribesmen have killed three people on Thursday afternoon, reports Anadolu Agency.

A security source told the agency that clashes broke out in the central province of al-Bayda.

The latest violence comes hours after Ansar al-Sharia, an al-Qaeda affiliate active in Yemen, claimed responsibility for IED's that killed 18 Houthi supporters in central Yemen.

Bayda, where three were killed on Thursday afternoon, has traditionally been an al-Qaeda stronghold, and the group's supporters have largely been confined to areas around Bayda since the government launched a large-scale bombing campaign against the group in May.

However, after the Houthi takeover of the capital Sana'a in September, the rebels have been moving southwards and encroaching on territory traditionally held by al-Qaeda.