TAIZZ, Yemen 

Several residential neighborhood in Yemen's central city of Taizz came under random shelling by Shia Houthi militants on Sunday, local residents have said.

Plumes of smoke were seen billowing from a number buildings after catching fire from the shelling, but it remains unclear where it resulted in any casualties, local residents told Anadolu Agency.

It is yet unknown whether the shelling had left any casualties.

The central province of Taizz has been plagued by a humanitarian crisis due to the scarcity of petroleum products, a rise in the cost of basic needs and the continued displacement of many families due to the security situation.

Fractious Yemen has remained in turmoil since last September, when the Houthis overran capital Sanaa, from which they have sought to extend their influence to other parts of the country.

On March 25, Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies began an extensive military campaign targeting Houthi positions across Yemen.

Riyadh says its anti-Houthi campaign comes in response to appeals by embattled Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi for military intervention against the Shia group.

The Houthis, for their part, denounce the offensive as unwarranted "Saudi-American aggression" against Yemen.