SANAA, Yemen: Yemen’s Defense Ministry says fierce clashes in the south have killed at least 23 Al-Qaeda militants.
Tuesday’s statement from the ministry says fighting between government troops, backed by heavy artillery, and the militants intensified overnight in the northern part of Zinjibar, the provincial capital of Abyan.
The ministry says Pakistani and Somali nationals were among the slain militants.
Also, military officials say clashes have erupted in the town of Jaar, another Al-Qaeda stronghold. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.
On Monday, two suicide bombers tried to hit army barracks and checkpoints to the east of Zinjibar in an attempt to stop the military from advancing in the south.
