Yemeni forces on Thursday shot dead seven suspected al Qaeda militants in a clash in the southeastern province of Hadramawt, a day after confrontations left 18 militants and 10 soldiers dead, an official said.
The clash erupted when “al Qaeda gunmen” attacked the military headquarters in the city of Sayun, a stronghold of militants, the military official said.
The army had reinforced its positions in Sayun ahead of an anticipated operation against militants in the city.
On Wednesday, two soldiers were killed and two wounded when gunmen attacked forces heading towards Sayun, a military official said. The defence ministry said 18 militants were killed in the confrontation.
Five other soldiers died Wednesday in an ambush in the southern province of Shabwa, while three members of the interior ministry’s Special Forces were killed in an ambush in Rada, in the central province of Baida.