Yemeni military clashes with Shiite rebels in northwestern district of the capital

Hawthi Shiite protesters perform Friday prayers during a funeral procession of fellow protesters who were killed in recent clashes with Yemeni police in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. Yemeni officials said Thursday that security forces have gone on high alert, fearing that al-Qaida members are streaming into the capital, where a Shiite rebel group's demonstrations have turned deadly. The reports of al-Qaida infiltration came as the government sought international mediation in reaching a peaceful resolution to its conflict with the Shiite rebel group known as the Hawthis, which clashed with police in the capital Sanaa earlier this week. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (The Associated Press)

Hawthi Shiite protesters carry coffins of fellow protesters who were killed in recent clashes with Yemeni police, during their funeral procession in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. Yemeni officials said Thursday that security forces have gone on high alert, fearing that al-Qaida members are streaming into the capital, where a Shiite rebel group's demonstrations have turned deadly. The reports of al-Qaida infiltration came as the government sought international mediation in reaching a peaceful resolution to its conflict with the Shiite rebel group known as the Hawthis, which clashed with police in the capital Sanaa earlier this week. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (The Associated Press)

Hawthi Shiite protesters carry the coffin of one of their fellow protesters who were killed in recent clashes with Yemeni police, during their funeral procession in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. Yemeni officials said Thursday that security forces have gone on high alert, fearing that al-Qaida members are streaming into the capital, where a Shiite rebel group's demonstrations have turned deadly. The reports of al-Qaida infiltration came as the government sought international mediation in reaching a peaceful resolution to its conflict with the Shiite rebel group known as the Hawthis, which clashed with police in the capital Sanaa earlier this week. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (The Associated Press)

Yemeni military officials say army troops have clashed with Shiite rebels who have been demonstrating for weeks demanding the government reinstate fuel subsidies and resign.

The officials say the Saturday clashes broke out in a northwestern district of Sanaa, the capital, near a state TV building, when troops stopped a rebel truck loaded with weapons. They did not report casualties and added that the area was now secured by army vehicles and troops.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.

The flare-up of violence came at a time the Shiite-rebel group, known as Hawthis, were close to signing a deal with the Yemeni leadership through an international mediator.