SANA'A: At least 7 fighters linked to al-Qaeda reportedly were killed and wounded on Friday evening during an ambush conducted by tribesmen in the Yemeni city of Abyan, where continued clashes between Yemeni troops and al-Qaeda militants. According to tribal sources, the militants were ambushed in al-Arkob district north the city of Shakera in the southern province of Abyan. ”Tribesmen ambushed a vehicle believed to be carrying al-Qaeda militants on road linking Shakera and Um Aen cities, killing and wounding 7 militants,” the tribal sources reported. Moreover, a senior al-Qaeda militant has died on Friday due to injuries sustained in an airstrike attacked on militant hideouts last Tuesday in Yemen's southern province of Abyan. ”Mazen Abdullah al-Saed, known as Abu Salem has died in Um Sora district of Abyan province,” a resident stated. Meanwhile, close sources said that al-Qaeda militants returned back to positions in Yasof district of Abyan province, where fierce battles took place between Yemeni forces backed by tribesmen and al-Qaeda militants three weeks ago.
