Suspected al-Qaeda militants took control the coastal town of Shaqrah in southern Yemen’s Abyan province Wednesday night, local security officials confirmed.

Clashes were short between government forces and the militants as tribes in the town are blaming the government for simply handing over the city to the militants.

“They did not clash long. If less than an hour, the town was taken over by the militants and government forces evacuated the city,” said one local eyewitness.

The militants are now controlling all governmental buildings and police stations in the city.

In early August pro-revolution tribal fighters took over the city after five days of clashes and handed it over to government military forces.

Sharqah is the third major city to fall in the hands of militants since May after Zinjibar and Jaar.

Government spokespersons were not available to comment on the incident when contacted.