Aden, Nov 2 (IANS): At least 18 people were killed and over 50 injured Friday in an armed attack by Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen's northern province of Saada, tribal leaders said.

The Shiite Houthi fighters backed by armoured vehicles and tanks attacked the Sunni-controlled northern town of Dammaj, reported Xinhua citing the local tribal sources.

"Houthi tanks took up positions around the entrances of Dammaj town. Dozens of people were killed and several others injured in the continuous shelling and armed confrontations there," a tribal source said.

According to a medical source while confirming the toll, said most of the wounded were children and many of them are in critical condition.

Friday's attack brought the total death toll in three days of sectarian clashes to 47 and over 200 wounded people.

The Sunni Salafists leaders called on the Yemeni government and some prominent tribes to immediately intervene to stop the fighting.