Two Yemeni troops were killed and five others wounded when a roadside bomb exploded in the key southern city of Zinjibar, Abyan.

A security official in the city said that the attack holds the hallmarks of al-Qaeda.

“We are expecting such attacks because the militants know that the government forces are taking over the province and they will soon come to an end,” said the official.

The explosion comes less than 24 hours after the Yemeni government announced that they entered the city for the first time since May.

More than 3000 troops entered Zinjibar on Saturday as government continues to increase its presence throughout the province of Abyan.

Yemen has vowed to fight terror elements of all kinds.