1st LD: Iranian embassy in Yemen's capital attacked, catches fire during rival rebels' clashes

SANAA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A fire ripped through the building of the Iranian embassy in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Sunday during clashes between the Houthis and loyalists of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a Xinhua reporter on the scene witnessed.

The fire broke out after being attacked by heavy weapons, but it remained unknow who were responsible for the attack.

A security official said that about 20 embassy's staff members were trapped inside the building.

The Houthis and supporters of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh had fought together since March 2015 the military coalition led by Saudi Arabia that supports the internationally-recognized government led by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

But clashes have erupted between the Houthi rebels and Saleh supporters in the past week, as Saleh signaled his willingness to open a "new page" in his relations with the Saudi-led coalition. Enditem