At least 36 Al-Qaida militants were killed in fierce battles with the army in and around their most notorious strongholds in Yemen's southern Abyan province, military sources said on Thursday.
Most of the militants were killed in Zinjibar, the capital, into which the forces got the prior day, the sources said, adding several others were targeted by airstrikes in Jaar.
"The number of the militants who were killed might be more than 36 after the forces surprised many of them at their positions inside and around Zinjibar," the sources continued.
At least ten troops and tribal fighters have been injured amid irreversible plans to clear the militants from Abyan and nearby provinces, they added.
The US and tribal fighters are directly supporting the armed forces in the battles against Al-Qaida militants, and the army has recently stepped up the offensive to recapture the towns sized last year.
Through more than a month, hundreds of militants have been killed and injured in Abyan and Shabwa including senior leaders.
The forces have also retaken some areas including the Lawder city, forcing many militants to flee to other parts.
On Wednesday, more than two dozen militants were killed in the battles which paved the way for the forces to reach the middle of Zinjibar, the defense ministry said.