A total of 74 Houthi rebels and eight Yemeni army soldiers were killed on Tuesday in a battle between the two sides in Yemen's central province of Marib, Xinhua reported, citing a government military source.
The battle took place in the Lam'aa front line in Harib district, about 60 km southwest of the government-controlled Marib city center.
Houthi officials did not respond to a request for comment.
The Lam'aa front line is a key route to Marib and the Safer oil fields.
The Iran-backed Houthi militia launched in February a major offensive on Marib in an attempt to seize control of the oil-rich province, the last northern stronghold of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.