A number of the Iran-backed Houthi rebel militia were killed on Sunday in clashes with the Yemeni national army forces in Hajjah province, northwest of the country. The clashes erupted as Houthi groups attempted to sneak into army positions in the districts of Hiran, Abs and Haradh. The Houthi militia tried to advance towards the positions of the national army in Bani Hassan in Abs district, east of Hiran and the outskirts of Haradh. The national army forces defeated all attempts by the militia, and forced them to retreat and flee, after suffering heavy losses.