Houthis increased their attacks to take control of the Marib province in recent days.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media that a senior military commander was reportedly killed Monday in clashes with Houthi rebels in northern Yemen, according to the Yemeni army.

Commander of the 4th Battalion, Colonel Bender al-Kutaybi, was killed in the clashes in Marib province, the army’s September.Net website said.

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi issued a condolence message for the colonel’s killing.

“Colonel al-Kutaybi was martyred in clashes with Iran-backed Houthis while performing his military service heroically,” Hadi said.

In recent days, Houthis increased their attacks in the region to take control of the Marib province, one of the most important strongholds of the legitimate government and is home to the headquarters of the Yemeni Defense Ministry.