Sanaa, Oct 14 (IANS): Houthi rebels have seized control of a new strategic district in Yemen's oil-rich province of Marib, which is the government's last northern stronghold, a military sources said.

"The Houthis today seized control of Al-Jadid, the centre of the strategic district of Al-Jubah, less than 20 km southwest of the government's stronghold Marib city," the sources told Xinhua news agency.

"The Houthi rebels use weapons which are more advanced than we have," one of the sources said.

"With the fall of Al-Jubah, the Houthi rebels practically seize control of almost all western, northern and southern districts in the province around the government stronghold Marib city and Safer oil fields," he added.

Meanwhile, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported 11 airstrikes by the warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition backing the Yemeni government forces on the Houthi positions in Al-Jubah district.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched in February a major offensive on Marib in an attempt to seize control of the oil-rich province.