ADEN, Yemen, June 6 (Xinhua) -- A senior officer of Yemen's security forces was killed on Monday in a bomb explosion in the country's turbulent southern province of Dhalea, a government official told Xinhua.

"A roadside bomb struck a convoy of the security forces in the northern part of Dhalea Province, killing officer Ali Ouqlah and injuring a number of his bodyguards," the local government official said on condition of anonymity.

Initial information indicates the bomb was detonated remotely by unknown gunmen as the convoy was "en route to inspect the forces stationed on the frontlines," he added.

Following the explosion, security forces were promptly deployed in the area and established checkpoints in order to capture the gunmen responsible for the incident, according to the official.

Over the past few weeks, there have been sporadic armed confrontations between government forces and the Houthi rebel militia in various areas located in the northern part of Dhalea.

Despite international calls for de-escalation, the Houthi rebels continue to launch on-ground military operations and advance on government-controlled provinces in the southern region.

Yemen has been locked in a military conflict since the Houthi militia took control of several northern cities and ousted the Yemeni government from the capital Sanaa in 2014.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in a staggering number of casualties and plunged the Arab world's poorest country into humanitarian crises, including widespread famine.