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A suicide car bomb blast in northern Yemen has killed at least 17 Shi'ite Houthi rebels and wounded at least 15 others.

Officials said the rebels were traveling to a religious celebration Wednesday when a suicide bomber blew up his vehicle alongside their convoy in Jawf province.

The officials say authorities suspect the attack was carried out by al-Qaida militants, who in the past have mostly carried out attacks against Yemeni security forces in the south.

The violence comes a day after the United Nations refugee agency said the violence near Yemen's northern border with Saudi Arabia is the worst since Houthi rebels and government forces signed a cease-fire in February.

Violence also has plagued southern Yemen, where authorities are struggling with two different battles against separatists and a resurgent al-Qaida.

Officials say a blast near the southern city of Lawdar Tuesday killed a soldier and wounded at least two others. Officials and witnesses say the explosion targeted a military patrol.

Article by Sandra LeMaire, VOA News