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Yemen clashes leave 34 more dead

Dunya News

At least 22 al Qaeda-linked militants and 12 Yemeni soldiers were killed in clashes and air strikes.

Fighting erupted late on Friday and carried on into Saturday on the outskirts of the southern city of Jaar, held by Islamist militants who have stepped up their campaign during months of political turmoil.Government troops, backed by U.S. drone strikes, have been trying to push the insurgents out of strongholds in the countrys south, which lies near oil shipping routes through the Red Sea.Washington and Yemens neighbour Saudi Arabia both fear the instability in Yemen could give al Qaedas regional wing a stronger foothold in the region.There is heavy fighting, and the armed elements are doing everything possible to stop the advance of (government) troops, a government official told Reuters, on condition of anonymity. Government forces were about 1km (0.6 mile) from Jaar, he added.Twelve Yemeni soldiers and 17 militants were killed in the fighting and an air strike killed three militants on the outskirts of the city, the official said.Another air strike destroyed a vehicle used by militants, killing two people inside in the southern province of Bayda, provincial governor Mohammed al-Ameri was quoted as saying on a defence ministry website.
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