Nine Qaida Suspects, One Soldier Killed in Yemen

Nine suspected al-Qaida militants have been killed in an attack on a Yemeni military unit in the country's restive southern province of Abyan, a military official told Agence France Presse Thursday.

A Yemeni soldier was also killed in the attack which took place late Wednesday near Abyan's capital Zinjibar.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said at least four soldiers were wounded in the attack.

Residents in the nearby town of Jaar meanwhile reported seeing militants transporting bodies for burial.

Since May, Yemeni troops have been battling militants believed to affiliated with al-Qaida to regain control of at least three cities in Abyan, including Zinjibar, under militant control.

On several occasions since their takeover of the area, the militants have enforced very strict interpretations of Islamic law, including chopping off people’s hands for stealing and lashing women for what they believe to be inappropriate behavior.

Despite months of clashes and hundreds of casualties on both sides, government troops have so far failed to wrest back full control of the area.