At least 15 suspected al-Qaida militants were killed in the battles with the army in the Louder city of Abyan on Monday, a day after two dozens were reported killed by drone attacks in the province, the Yemeni official agency Saba reported.

Security officials in Abyan told Yemen Post that seven troops were also killed.

With direct support from the US, Yemen is fighting al-Qaida militants and the Sharia Supporters in southern and southeastern regions, who have recently revealed plans to expand their presence.

In June, the militants seized some towns in Abyan and declared them as Islamic emirates and since then these towns have become their strongholds.
Yemen has been clashing with Islamic militants for more than a year.