At least six Al-Qaeda militants have been killed in the operations that started days ago in Yemen's Southern Abyan Province, Deputy Security Director in Modya town said.

Gen Muhammad Al-Khadher said in a statement to Al-Methaq newspaper six maybe more than this number of militants were killed so far in the operations that followed ambushing the convoy of Abyan Governor on Thursday.

A prominent leader was also arrested with whom serious documents about Al-Qaeda plans for attacking security officials and vital interest in the province were seized, he said. The arrestee's was identified as Hani Al-Thuraya, he said.

Militants are using women and children as human shields in the areas of Thauba and Al-Fahtani in Lawder and Modya, but the army is trying to avoid civilian casualties, he added.

Meanwhile, local sources said the people in the two areas started fleeing their homes after some people including a child were killed in Sunday's air strikes.

Yemen is intensifying the war on Al-Qaeda militants after deadly attacks against security buildings, patrols, military vehicles and convoys and officers and local officials in southern and southeastern regions.