For the third consecutive day in Zinjibar, Monday was the scene of fierce fighting opposing the government forces and alleged al-Qaeda militants.

Military sources revealed under cover of anonymity to the press that at least 6 Islamist fighters had been killed on Monday alone, bringing the death-toll to 11 since Saturday.

Despite claims from the Yemeni Defense ministry that the army was making progress in quelling the al-Qaeda insurgency in the southern province of Abyan, the terror group has yet to be driven out of Zinjibar, the regional capital of the province and other major cities such as Jaar.
Months of fighting has forced the local population to find refuge in nearby provinces, essentially the port-city of Aden where they took shelter in schools, abandoned warehouses and make-shift camps.
Although no government soldiers were reported dead on Monday, the military sources admitted that several had been injured, without however giving a clear number.