11 die in clashes between Yemeni army and al-Qaida

IANS | Jun 27, 2011

SANAA: At least 11 people, including six al-Qaida militants, were killed and 35 injured in clashes between the army forces and al-Qaida militants in Yemen's port city of Aden Sunday, Xinhua reported on Monday.

"Three soldiers, six al-Qaida militants and two passers-by were killed in shelling in the eastern entrance of Aden on Sunday and another 15 soldiers and about 20 al-Qaida elements were wounded," a military official said, requesting anonymity.

The al-Qaida militants have stationed themselves outside Al-Alamkey entrance of Aden city about a week ago in an attempt to invade the port city, said another official.

Yemen has been gripped by five-month-long protests across the impoverished Arab state, demanding long-time president Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down.

Prolonged impasse triggered deterioration in security and economic situations.