ADEN - Yemeni troops backed by aircraft killed seven suspected Al-Qaeda militants, including a local leader, as they pressed a ground offensive in the south, the defence ministry and the army said Thursday.
The assault that began overnight focused on the Shabwa province towns of Maifaa and Azzan, the ministry’s 26sep.net news website said.
Three vehicles were destroyed and six suspected militants travelling in them killed, it added.
Residents of the two towns said fierce fighting was continuing on Thursday.
In neighbouring Abyan province, troops Thursday killed a local leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), state news agency Saba reported, identifying him as Abu Muslim al-Uzbeki.