Aden, Jun 11 (IANS): At least nine militants were killed after Yemeni army clashed with Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) terrorists Sunday in Abyan province.
The clashes occurred between the army troops and Al Qaeda militants across the neighborhoods of Zinjibar, the provincial capital of Abyan, killing at least six militants, Xinhua quoted an official as saying anonymously.
On the same day, fighting broke out around an Al Qaeda held town of Jaar in Abyan, in which three other militants were killed, the official added.
The Yemeni government troops have stepped up military operations in Abyan to oust Al Qaeda militants who seized control of large swathes in the restive south region during last year.