SANAA, YEMEN - At least seven people were killed and many others wounded on a Sunday explosion when a suicide car bomber, believed to have links with al-Qaeda, smashed into a Houthis-controlled hospital in Mareb province, in northeast Yemen.

This was the second car bomb explosion in Yemen within the week.

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In a statement in its Twitter account, a group under the al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Ansar al-Sharia, took responsibility of the said bombing.

The statement said Ansar al-Sharia targeted the Houthi rebels who have been using the hospital as their headquarters. The Houthis have been occupying and controlling the hospital since last month.

The Houthis have remained silent about this latest bombing.

Meanwhile, the Houthis have been conducting major protest activities and attacks that adversely affected the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

Abaad Strategic Center President ABdulSalam Mohammed said that "after the Houthi victory in Sanaa, al-Qaeda knows that Houthis will plan to expand to new areas, mainly Mareb and Baitha provinces. The more they infiltrate Mareb, the more car bombs will target their fighters."

Houthis controlled some major areas in Yemen

Earlier last month, Houthis also took control of the Al Gafra highway, a major road in the area which connects Mareb to Sanaa, after a series of encounters with local tribesmen.

Last Saturday, the rebels also exchanged gunfire with the guards of the National Security Bureau.  The encounter started when Houthi rebels forced their way towards the bureau chief's residence. Seven were killed during the clash.

According to Houthis, they picketed outside the house of the National Security Bureau Chief because they believed that the office is working closely with the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States.

The Houthis are known followers of the Shia practice and beliefs, while the areas of Mareb are identified as Sunni followers.

TagsAl-qaeda, yemen, Houthis, car bomb, Mareb