The Sharia Supporters, the offshoot of Yemen Al-Qaida, released about 27 soldiers on Thursday, who have been held as hostage in Shabwa province, Almasdar Online reported, quoted local sources.
Tribal elder Othman Ali Albabakri mediated the release of all the troops held in the stronghold of the militant group in the Azzan area, but only 27 soldiers were released, the website quoted a spokesmen for the group.
"This week, also 13 soldiers were released in the Shuqra city in Abyan province bringing the total of those who have been set free to 40," Abu Hajir, the spokesman was quoted as saying.
The soldiers were arrested in Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan, amid an intensified offensive against the militants in southern and southeastern regions including Abyan and Shabwa.
The release of the soldiers came as the forces continued to advance on the militants, killing many of them including senior leaders and recapturing areas, which were seized last year.
"The release was for the sake of Allah. We have not sought anything in return," the spokesman said, according to the website. "The 13 soldiers who were released in Shuqra had survived an airstrike while held in a school".
Al-Qaida has recently raided military posts in Abyan province killing, injuring and arresting scores of soldiers. Some 73 of the soldiers arrested during the raids were released after a mediation.
The authorities said on Thursday Al-Qaida militants were in their last breath as the forces further stepped up the battles to retake the most important strongholds of Zinjibar and Jaar, Abyan.
Earlier, the government refused to stop the war on the militants in return for releasing all Yemeni soldiers and foreign hostages.
In the past few months, Al-Qaida kidnapped a Swiss woman, a Frenchman and deputy Saudi consul in Aden and took them to Shabwa.
The Swiss and Saudi diplomat have appeared in videotapes begging their government for help after negotiations by the Yemeni authorities failed to free them.