Sanaa, April 10 (RHC)-- At least 20 people have been killed in clashes between Yemen’s popular committees backed by the the Houthi movement and al-Qaeda militants in the southern city of Aden. At least 70 others have suffered injuries in the clashes over the past 24 hours, according to media reports on Thursday.

Eyewitnesses also reported that severe clashes erupted between the committees and the militants in the Crater district of the port city. Heavy clashes were also reported between the two sides in the northern districts of Mansoura, Dar Saad and Sheikh Othman.

The development comes as Saudi Arabia keeps pounding the neighboring country. Early on Thursday, Saudi-led fighter jets carried out raids in Yemen’s capital city of Sanaa and the provinces of Taizz, Shabwah and Sa'ada.

The UN special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Chaloka Beyani, has warned the international community to prepare for a massive displacement and humanitarian crisis in Yemen as civilians flee the Saudi bombings and clashes.