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12 militants killed southern Yemen

14 September 2011 17:46 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Witnesses say fierce clashes between Yemeni government forces and al-Qaida linked militants in southern Yemen have left at least 12 militants dead, APA reports quoting Associated Press.

A military official says navy boats off the coast shelled militant positions in Abyan in southern Yemen, where Islamist militants have taken control of some areas.

A Yemeni undertaker said that he buried 12 al-Qaida militants and two civilians killed in clashes.

Witnesses said the militants were killed in an exchange of gunfire overnight and in the early hours of Wednesday. The undertaker spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.

Also, witnesses said 13 people were killed when government forces shelled Arhab mountain villages north of Sanaa, where anti-government tribes are concentrated.