A senior security official in Abyan said that seven soldiers were killed in clashes with militants in Abyan over the last two days.

The official confirmed that 17 Islamic militants were also killed over the last two days in Abyan.

He said that the clashes are still ongoing mainly in Zinjibar and Jaar.

Nine soldiers were wounded in the attacks, three of them in serious condition, the official said.

Razi Hospital officials in Abyan said that that they recieved two dead and six injured all belonging to the Islamic militants.

Razi officials also said that four civilians were killed in Zinjibar today, while three were injured.