UNDATED: Air strikes in south Yemen killed at least seven Islamist militants, a security official said on Thursday, while armed tribesmen entered the city of Zinjibar to try and wrest it from militant control.
The official said there were likely more casualties in the two air strikes north of Zinjibar, capital of Abyan province, but that militants had dragged bodies away from the area. At least 35 people were wounded, he said.
Violence has gripped Yemen since February when protests erupted calling for an end to President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 33-year rule. Abyan has seen a rising challenge from militants suspected of ties to al Qaeda. (Reuters)