Two soldiers of Yemen's government forces were killed on Tuesday in a bomb blast in the southwestern province of Taiz, a military official said.

The official, who asked to remain anonymous, said that seven others were also injured when the improvised explosive device exploded in the Al Maqatirah District of the province, adding that the device was placed strategically along the military patrol route.

The district holds significant importance as it connects major roads between the provinces of Taiz and Lahj and further leads to the southern port city of Aden.

The identity of the perpetrators responsible for the blast remains unknown, but authorities deployed a military force to comb the area to collect evidence and apprehend any suspects involved, according to the official.

Yemen has been grappling with an armed conflict between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthi militia for nearly nine years, which has led to widespread security chaos across the impoverished Arab country.