The rebels entered the city from seven directions, forcing the government forces to retreat back to the adjacent province of Marib, the sources said.

The Saudi-led military coalition, which backs the Yemeni government forces, launched airstrikes on the rebel positions in al-Hazm.

Dozens of fighters from both Yemeni warring forces were killed or wounded in the Sunday battles, the officials said, without specifying a number.

In January, the Houthis seized control of the mountains overlooking the roads linking the capital city of Sanaa with al-Jawf and Marib provinces.

The Houthi-run al-Masirah TV said the control of al-Jawf would pave the way for seizing control of the oil-rich Marib province.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized control of much of the country's north and forced the Saudi-backed government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of Sanaa.