Damascus, May 30 (Xinhua-ANI): At least 15 insurgents and 10 soldiers were killed in battles between government troops and the al-Qaida group on Wednesday morning in Yemen's southern province of Abyan, a military official told Xinhua.
The battles erupted when dozens of al-Qaida militants attempted to sneak into an army barrack of the 135th Armored Brigade on the western outskirts of Jaar town, a main stronghold of the terrorist group in Abyan, leaving at least 15 insurgents and 10 soldiers killed, the local military official said on condition of anonymity.
The clashes continued for several hours and 16 soldiers were critically injured in the fighting, he added.
An army officer told Xinhua anonymously that the al-Qaida militants tried to re-take control of Jabaleen area near Jaar town after they launched the attack on the army troops.
"It was the second attack in less than two days on the government troops around Jaar. The al-Qaida group received reinforcements and many foreign fighters," the army officer said.
Local residents said the Yemen air force attacked targets used by al-Qaida militants as places for meetings and media centers in Jaar, but no casualties have been reported.
Meanwhile, the county's defense ministry reported that an air raid has killed three al-Qaida militants and injured seven others near the coastal city of Shakra, Abyan, which has been controlled by the terrorist group since last year. (Xinhua-ANI)
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