At least 10 Al-Qaida militants were killed as the army continued to advance to clear militants from their positions in Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan, which was held by Al-Qaida last year, local sources said.
The deaths occurred in the Jaar city south of Zinjibar in the second day of the fiercest battles against the militants, the sources said.
On Saturday, the Yemeni army launched expanded operations to retake the towns in Abyan, which were held by Al-Qaida last year including Zinjibar. About 25.000 troops are participating in the operations. Several soldiers have been reported dead in the two days so far.
The forces have waged fierce battles with Al-Qaida militants in several areas including Doufas where militants raided several military posts in March and this month killing and abducting scores of soldiers and looting military equipment. Many militants have been killed in the battles, military sources said.
Popular fighters have helped the forces to fight the militants in the past few weeks.
The Yemeni army is also receiving direct support from the US including drone operations which have killed many terrorists including senior leaders wanted by the US authorities.