ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Fierce fighting erupted on Saturday between Yemen's government forces and Houthi rebels on various fronts of the northern province of Saada, leaving 20 rebels killed, state-run Saba news agency reported.

"Nearly 20 Houthi rebels were killed and several others injured in fighting with the army forces in Saada Province," Saba cited an army commander as saying in a statement.

The fighting concentrated on the international road linking Baqem district in Saada with the Alab crossing point of Saudi Arabia, the commander said on condition of anonymity.

The anti-bomb disposal units dismantled numerous Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and landmines laid by the Houthi rebels along the international road, he added.

Saada is the key stronghold of the Iran-allied Shiite Houthis.

The impoverished Arab country has been locked in a civil war since the Houthi rebels overran much of Yemen militarily and seized all northern provinces in 2014, including the capital Sanaa.

Saudi Arabia is leading an Arab military coalition which has intervened in the Yemen war since 2015 to support the government of exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

More than 10,000 Yemenis, mostly civilians, have been killed in the war, and about 3 million others displaced.