SANAA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Fighting between the Yemeni government troops and the Houthi rebels in the central province of Marib on Saturday left at least 24 dead from both sides, said local government military sources.

The fighting broke out on Saturday early morning and lasted for hours in al-Alam area in Sirwah district, during which the government troops repelled an attempted advance by the Houthi rebels, the sources said.

"Nine soldiers and at least 15 rebels were killed in the battle, as well as dozens from both sides were wounded," one of the sources in Marib told Xinhua by phone on condition of anonymity.

Another source said "five Houthi fighters were captured by the troops following the battle."

The Houthi-held Sirwah district, which belongs to Marib province, is located between the government-controlled Marib province and the Houthi-held capital Sanaa. It has become a key frontline since the government forces recaptured much of Marib in late 2015.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized control of much of the country's north and forced the Saudi-backed government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of Sanaa.

On Friday, the Security Council called on the Houthi rebels to commit to a cease-fire and welcomed the announcement of a unilateral cease-fire in Yemen by the Saudi-led military coalition, which intervened in the Yemeni conflict in early 2015 to support the internationally recognized government of President Hadi.

The council members also welcomed the Yemeni government's positive response to the cease-fire call, and called on the Houthis to make similar commitments without delay. Enditem

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