Yemen's government forces repelled Houthi rebels' overnight attack in the south of the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, state TV reported Wednesday.

The attack targeted the government forces' positions in the Hays and al-Jarrahi districts, involving the use of heavy weapons and artillery.

"The government forces destroyed the (Houthi) artillery, inflicting heavy losses among the militants," said the television without elaborating.

Houthi media have made no comment yet on the alleged attack.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi militia seized control of several northern cities and driving the internationally-recognized government out of the capital Sanaa.

The war has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced 4 million, and pushed the country to the brink of starvation.