Sanaa, Nov 12 (IANS): At least 16 Shia Houthi fighters were killed in a suspected Al Qaeda attack in Yemen's southern province of al-Bayda early Wednesday, tribal sources said.

A suicide car bomb targeted a gathering of Houthi fighters at the house of a Shia tribal chieftain at Kahra village northeast of Radda town in al-Bayda province.

Sources at Khara village told Xinhua that the powerful explosion rocked the whole area killing at least 16 Houthis and destroying the house as well as nearby vehicles. The tribal chief who hosted the Houthi fighters was also killed in the attack.

The Shia Houthi group, known locally as Ansarullah, advanced to the country's central regions after controlling the capital Sanaa in late September. However, they are facing growing resistance from Sunni tribes and Al Qaeda militants.

Rada town saw fierce fighting between the Houthis and the Al Qaeda last month which left dozens dead on both sides.

The impoverished Arab country has been gripped by regional Al Qaeda insurgency since 2009. Terrorist groups, mainly based in the southern and eastern provinces, have launched frequent suicide attacks on army and security targets, leaving hundreds of people dead.