Suspected al-Qaeda militants are now planning to takeover another southern province after controlling Abyan province.

Local security officials in Lahj province said that a large number of al-Qaeda militants have entered the province coming from neighboring Abyan.

The official said that tens of unknown people who are suspected to be militants have been walking in the streets on Howtah, the capital of Lahj, since last Friday.

“We have not been given orders by the government to arrest any suspects, but the Interior Ministry is focusing on this issue with great concern,” said the official.

Residents are on high alert fearing that the government is planning to evacuate its thousands of troops like it did in Abyan and force the province to fall in the hands of militants.

In June, clashes took place between government forces and suspected militants belonging to the extremist Ansar al-Sharia group. 

Majority of Lahj residents joined the Yemeni revolution demanding the ousting of President Saleh’s regime.

It is also the backbone of the Southern Movement, which is calling for southern separation from northern Yemen.