Sunni tribes fighters ambushed a convoy of the Shiite Houthi group in Yemen's central province of al-Bayda Friday afternoon, killing about 28 Shiite gunmen, a security official told Xinhua.

"A convoy of the Shiite Houthi group composed of six cars was ambushed by fighters of the Sunni tribes in Khobza village in the central Yemeni province of al-Bayda, leaving about 28 people killed right on the spot," the local security said on condition of anonymity.

"The well-armed Sunni tribesmen opened heavy fired and rocket- propelled grenades on the vehicles carrying Shiite Houthi gunmen. Cars were torched at the scene," the Yemeni source said.

Just a few hours after the ambush, huge explosions were heard and fierce armed confrontations erupted between the two warring sides in the same village, according to local residents.

No one from the Shiite Houthi group was available for immediate comment on the reported ambush.

The Shiite Houthi group, known locally as Ansarullah, advanced to the country's central regions after controlling the capital Sanaa in late September. However, they are facing growing resistance from Sunni tribes and al-Qaida militants.

Yemen's central province of al-Bayda town has seen fierce fighting between dozens of fighters belonging to the Shiite Houthi group and Sunni tribesmen backed by al-Qaida last month, which has left dozens dead from both sides.

The Shiite Houthi fighters have succeeded in capturing a number of villages and cities across the al-Bayda province and Yemen's central regions, forcing hundreds of people to flee to neighboring provinces.

The impoverished Arab country has been gripped by regional al- Qaida insurgency since 2009. Terrorist groups, mainly based in southern and eastern provinces, have launched frequent suicide attacks on army and security targets, leaving hundreds of people dead. Endi

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