DUBAI (AFP) - At least 50 Houthi rebels and Yemeni pro-government troops have been killed as fighting intensifies for the key city of Marib, military sources said on Sunday (Sept 26).

Hundreds of people have died this month alone after the Iran-backed rebels renewed their assault on Marib, the government's last stronghold in the oil-rich north.

"In the past 48 hours, 43 Houthi fighters were killed, mostly in coalition air strikes" west of Marib, a military source told AFP, while another source said at least seven loyalists died in fighting.

About 400 people have been reported dead in clashes in September in Marib, following a lull in fighting in the region.

The Houthis initially escalated their efforts to seize Marib in February, hoping to seize control of the region's oil resources and strengthen their position in peace talks.