A total of 74 Houthi rebels and eight Yemeni army soldiers were killed on Tuesday in a battle between the two sides in Yemen's central province of Marib, Xinhua reported, citing a government military source.

The battle took place in the Lam'aa front line in Harib district, about 60 km southwest of the government-controlled Marib city center.

Houthi officials did not respond to a request for comment.

The Lam'aa front line is a key route to Marib and the Safer oil fields.

The Iran-backed Houthi militia launched in February a major offensive on Marib in an attempt to seize control of the oil-rich province, the last northern stronghold of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.

(Cover: Fighters loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government at the front line facing Iran-backed Houthi rebels near Marib, Yemen, May 13, 2021. /AFP)