Yemen army raid kills 10 suspected militants

ADEN: Yemen’s military killed 10 suspected militants in air and artillery strikes yesterday, a pro-government militia source said, as authorities battle insurgents linked to Al-Qaeda who seized several southern towns last year.
The assault took place near the town of Shuqra in Abyan province, an impoverished, mountainous region of southern Yemen where tribal law holds sway and Islamist militants have a strong presence.
Tackling lawlessness in Yemen, which lies near important oil shipment routes and flanks the world’s biggest oil exporter Saudi Arabia, is an international priority.
Washington and other Western governments regard Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) as one of the most dangerous offshoots of the militant network.