At least 16 suspected al-Qaeda militants were killed in clashes that continued for more than 24 hours on Sunday with governmental security forces.

Clashes erupted when militants raided a military checkpoint that was recently retaken by government forces. A security official in the province confirmed that at least three soldiers were killed and seven others injured.

Clashes also took place at two military compounds in the province.

A security source in Abyan said that the fiercest fighting in the province has been in towns of Zinjibar, Dohus and Jaar.

Currently, clashes are taking place in more than seven different fronts in the province.

The military, with the support of hundreds of tribal fighters, have been able to retake more than 50 percent of the province over the last three weeks.

Government forces are trying to rid the southern province of Abyan from armed militants who took over the province in May and declared it an Islamic Emirate.

Tribes have played a major role in the Abyan fighting after government forces lost control of the province.

Most of the tribesmen fighting are locals from Abyan who vowed not to stop until the militants are forced out of the province or are killed.