A military convoy was ambushed on Saturday while on its way to the Modya district, 140 km from Abyan's capital Zunjbar, a security source said.

About 30 armed people, believed to be Al-Qaeda militants, attacked the convoy, which included tanks and other military vehicles, with rocket propelled grenades RPGs and automatic guns, killing two troops and injuring others, the source said.

Other security sources said two tanks and three vehicles were destroyed, and there were also conflicting reports on the casualties and other losses.

In response, planes struck Al-Dahma'a village between the districts of Lawder and Abyan where militants are hiding, the source said. The airstrikes terrified the people who fled to nearby areas.

Today's ambush coincided with volatile confrontations between the security forces and militants in Al-Jeeza area in south Modya, where militants ambushed last week the convoy of Abyan Governor killing his brother and two of his guards.

Meanwhile, the security forces have been placed on high alert after the authorities got information Al-Qaeda fighters started to arrive in the region coming from neighboring provinces.

The developments come after Yemen has recently launched large-scale operations against Al-Qaeda in southern and southeastern regions amid a series of deadly attacks against security buildings, vehicles and officers as well as against local officials.

Last week, reports surfaced that military reinforcements were dispatched to Abyan to continue the operations against Al-Qaeda in the Lawder and other districts.