The Yemeni forces retook all positions from the militants of Al-Qaida and its offshoot, the Sharia Supporters, after fierce battles east of Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan province in the south, military sources said on Saturday.
All militant positions in east of Zinjibar including Al-Marakid and Al-Mishqasa were recaptured and the militants suffered heavy losses in the battles with two military brigades and tribal fighters, the sources said.
"About 62 militants including Somalis and other foreigners were killed, tens others injured and many others have fled to other parts leaving weapons and ammunition behind them," they said.
On Friday, military sources were quoted by official media as saying that at least 65 militants were killed in Abyan province at a time when the army is trying to invade the most notorious strongholds of the militants: Zinjibar and Jaar.
Several soldiers were killed and the army is determined to continue the offensive, which has been recently stepped up to clear the militants from the areas seized last year, the sources continued.
The Air Force participated in the battles, with airstrikes targeting positions and killing militants, they said.
Hundreds of Al-Qaida militants have been killed and injured including senior leaders since the army has expanded the operations to recapture key towns in Abyan.
The US and tribal fighters are directly supporting the forces.