ADEN, Yemen, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- An armed attack targeted a military vehicle in Yemen's northern province of Marib on Monday, killing at least three soldiers and wounding three others, a military official told Xinhua.

"Unknown gunmen on board a four-wheel-drive vehicle ambushed a military vehicle as it was passing through the Bir Maslahah area south of Marib," the official said on condition of anonymity.

According to the official, the masked gunmen fled the scene after the attack with their identity not yet known. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

This incident occurred as the areas surrounding the Safer oil fields in Marib have been witnessing escalating tensions between tribal protesters and government forces.

Hundreds of armed tribesmen have been protesting for a week against the Oil Ministry raising the prices of petroleum derivatives.

Last week, mediators stepped in to broker a ceasefire and de-escalate the tensions. However, the local sources said the situation remains volatile as more gunmen arrive in the region.

The Safer oil fields, a key strategic and economic asset, have been targeted before by Houthi militants and other armed groups seeking to damage Yemen's oil production.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi militia stormed several northern cities and forced the Saudi-backed Yemeni government out of the capital Sanaa. Enditem

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