Sana’a: Security officials in Yemen say at least 60 people were killed in weeks of tribal clashes in the country’s north.

The officials said on Friday that the clashes erupted north of Sana’a over land disputes between two tribes.

The conflict intensified when Shiite Hawthis rebels backed one tribe and the Al Ahmar tribe, one of Yemen’s most powerful groups, backed the other.

Meanwhile, other officials say anti-terrorism forces in Aden arrested two men believed to be Al Qaida militants on suspicion of killing an intelligence officer last month.

Yemeni authorities are leading a war against Al Qaida’s local branch, considered by Washington as one of the world’s most dangerous terror groups.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to speak to journalists.