Clashes between Hawthi rebels and troops in northern Yemen kill 7 after checkpoint attack

SANAA, Yemen – Security and military officials in Yemen say clashes between troops and Shiite rebels have killed seven people in the country's north.

Officials say fighting erupted Friday and killed two soldiers and five rebels. They say the clashes began when Hawthi gunmen attacked a military checkpoint in the northern province of al-Jawf.

Officials say soldiers arrested 11 suspected Hawthi rebels, including three wounded men.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters.

The clashes came two days after the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing sanctions against individuals and organizations threatening peace, security or stability in Yemen.

Yemen has been struggling its transition to democracy since Arab Spring protests in 2011 forced longtime ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down.