Yemen: 44 killed in clashes with al Qaeda fighters
Yemeni military officials say they have pushed back al Qaeda militants from taking control of a key city after a lengthy battle that left 44 people dead. The clashes erupted Monday after the militants attacked a Yemeni army post in the city of Lawder in Abyan province, where al Qaeda fighters are active.
Residents and military officials say 24 militants and 14 soldiers, including a colonel, were killed in the clashes. Jihad Hafeez, a member of an anti-al Qaeda civilian committee in Lawder, says six of his men were also killed. (AP)
