Xinhua news agency quoted a government spokesperson as saying that the Houthi militants launched gunfire against residential districts in Yemen's southwestern province of Taiz on Wednesday, causing six children to die.

Demanding anonymity, the provincial government official stated that "The Houthis intensified their shelling during the past hours and targeted a number of residential neighborhoods located in Taiz's eastern part."

He further included that a number of bombs targeted the residential houses, caused death to more than six children and destroyed citizens' properties.

In the meantime, army representatives confirmed that fierce armed clashes are still taking part between the government forces and the Houthi insurgents for the fourth successive day in the northern suburbs of Taiz.