Houthi fighters took over five schools, a medical center and a police station and destroyed a number of homes and water wells in Yemen's Amran province as tensions renewed between the Shiite Houthi Group and tribes, Alahale reported on Thursday.

The website said the Houthi fighters have set up seven checkpoints and are now checking all cars and passersby after battles have recently erupted between them and the Qaflat Othar tribes in Amran.

The battles reemerged after Houthi fighters assassinated a tribesman from a tribe which led a mediation to end the battles between the Houthi Group and tribes in the province, it said.

Meanwhile, Alahale quoted local sources as saying the number of those who have been killed in the recent battles was more than 30 people.
In the past few weeks, Houthi were reportedly to have killed two travelers from the southern Lahj province while in Amran. The two victims were arrested, killed and then their bodies were transported to near a military camp to claim they were killed in battles with the forces, according to the website.

Houthis also killed a construction worker in the Qafalt Othar area after accusing him of spying for the United States of America, it said, giving no more details.

The Shiite Houthi Group, which fought the national forces six times--the latest in 2009, has since been clashing with tribes in Hajjah province and other provinces adjacent to Saada province.

Most of the clashes ended through tribal mediations.

The group, which the former regime said was receiving support from Iranian groups, joined the popular uprising in early 2011 and accepted months ago to participate in a comprehensive national dialogue under the West-backed power-transfer deal.