Seven militants were killed in central Yemen when they attacked a military facility, the opposition website Mareb Press reported Sunday.
The militants, believed to be affiliated with al-Qaeda, launched an attacked on the army group stationed in Mareb province, some 170 kilometres east of the capital, Sana'a, DPA reported.
The clash also left one soldier dead, Mareb Press added.
Insurgents have taken advantage of both a year of political turmoil in Yemen and the country's weak central government to expand their influence in the country.
Outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh has used the threat of militants to seek support from the West and extend his stay in power despite months of protests against him.
In November, Saleh signed a Gulf Cooperation Council-brokered deal to step down after 33 years in power. Presidential elections are scheduled for February 21.