A suicide bomber blew himself up at a gathering for Shiite rebels Wednesday, killing at least 18 people in Yemen’s southern city of Ibb, town officials said.
Hundreds of Houthis and the mayor of Ibb were gathered at the local cultural center for celebrations ahead of the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, one of Islam’s most revered figures.
The mayor survived the attack.
The Shiite militia took control of the capital, Sanaa, earlier this year and its members have installed themselves in key positions in the government and final institutions.
The movement also faces fierce resistance from the Sunni extremist group Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, al Qaeda’s local franchise in Yemen.
The Houthis — followers of a sect of Shia Islam in a majority Sunni nation — have managed to defeat AQAP on numerous fronts, including taking the terror group’s stronghold of Radaa in October.
