SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Yemeni military officials on Sunday said at least 30 soldiers and 14 al Qaeda militants were killed in fighting in the southern province of Abyan.
The officials said fighting took place west of Abyan’s provincial capital of Zinjibar, held by militants since May.
The violence in Abyan highlights the challenges facing Yemen after a year of political turmoil that has allowed al Qaeda to seize several towns in the nearly lawless south and withstand repeated army offensives to retake them.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.