A third day of fighting in Yemen’s capital between Shia rebels and Sunni militiamen killed at least four civilians on Saturday, security and health officials said.
Mortar shells slammed into homes and a local hospital as the Shia rebels, known as Hawthis, battled militias and Army units allied with the Muslim Brotherhood’s Islah party raising the total civilian death toll from the fighting to 22.
The officials said three others were wounded in the shelling of the hospital.
Witnesses said many families fled their homes while others were trapped by the fighting.
Battles took place on the road to the international airport and near a major military base, the state television building and on two university campuses, north and west of the capital.
An Associated Press photographer saw flames and smoke rising from the state television building, which was struck by Hawthi shelling.
Clashes also erupted to the south when the army tried to prevent Hawthis from entering the city. Three rebels were killed and two troops were wounded, military officials said.
At least 123 fighters have been killed since the violence began on Thursday.
All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief reporters.
