TAIZ, Yemen

A top government army commander was killed Wednesday in clashes with Houthi rebels south-west of Yemen, according to a Yemeni military source. 

General Ahmed Saif al-Yafei, the deputy chief of general staff of the Yemeni armed forces, was killed in battles between his forces and Houthi rebels on the outskirts of the port city of Mocha, the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

“The clashes were still raging on between the two sides,” he said, declining to give further details.

The Yemeni army has yet to confirm the claim.

Backed by Saudi-led warplanes, Yemeni government forces captured Mocha a few days ago from Houthi rebels.

Yemen fell into civil war in 2014, when the Houthis and allied forces of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh overran capital Sanaa and other parts of the country.

The conflict escalated in 2015 when Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies launched an extensive air campaign aimed at reversing Houthi military gains and shoring up Yemen’s Saudi-backed government.

Reporting by Mohammed al-Samei; Writing Ali H. M.Abo Rezeg