Updated

A Yemeni military official says government forces and their allies, including troops from a Saudi-led coalition, have captured the last outpost of Shiite rebels in a key province.

Col. Ayed al-Moradi says that the anti-rebel forces on Wednesday took the town of Sirwah — the last outpost of the rebels known as Houthis in Marib province. Sirwah is about 88 kilometers (55 miles) east of the rebel-held capital, Sanaa. The forces' advances had been stalling for weeks in Marib.

Medical officials say 70 Houthis and more than 50 pro-government fighters were killed in three days of fighting for Sirwah.

Independent security officials say few Houthi pockets remain in the town. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters.