A bomber drove an explosives-laden car into a checkpoint manned by fighters in northern Yemen on Friday, killing at least three people.

A bomber drove an explosives-laden car into a checkpoint manned by fighters in northern Yemen on Friday, killing at least three people, officials and local people said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

A Houthi source said the attacker had been heading for a Houthi cultural centre but when stopped at the checkpoint nearby, he detonated the car there. He said two Houthis were killed in the blast.

At least 24 people have been killed this week in fighting between fighters and the army and allied Sunni tribesmen. Intense sectarian conflict this year has undermined attempts at national reconciliation in Yemen.

Last month the Yemeni army launched its biggest offensive in nearly two years to try to dislodge militants from southern strongholds.