Seven people have been killed in Yemen’s northern provinces, where rebel influence is expanding in the wake of a central government weakened by months of mass protests.

Seven people have been killed in Yemen's northern provinces, where rebel influence is expanding in the wake of a central government weakened by months of mass protests, tribal sources said on Wednesday.

At least three of the casualties from two days of fighting were Huthi rebels, members of Yemen's minority Zaidi sect, tribal chief Amin Al-Ukaimi told AFP.

In a separate incident Tuesday, one man was killed and several others wounded in the northern province of Hajja, a statement from the rebel movement said.

The Zaidis, a minority in Yemen's population, have for years complained of political and social marginalization. Their rebellion against Saleh's rule, which began in 2004, has already cost thousands of lives.