Yemeni army kills two Al-Qaida militants

Aden, May 17 (IANS) The Yemeni armed forces killed two Saudi Al-Qaida militants during fighting in the south-eastern province of Shabwa Saturday, Xinhua quoted a military official.

"The gunfight occurred near the centre of the district of Azzan in southeastern Shabwa province, killing two Saudi members of the Yemen-based Al-Qaida terrorist group on the spot," the local military official said.

"Some of Al-Qaida militants attempted to sneak into an army outpost but failed to reach the site," the government source said.

A government official said that "hundreds of Azzan residents fled from clashes and army shelling of several al-Qaida-held sites in the turbulent region".

"Commanders of the army troops in Shabwa have told the rest of the residents to stay away from the fighting areas, as the al- Qaida terrorists are trying to use residents as human shields," the source added.

On Wednesday, up to 30 al-Qaida militants were killed during clashes with army forces in Shabwa province.

The Yemeni military and security forces have recently intensified operations against suspected al-Qaida strong holds throughout the country, killing many non-Yemeni al-Qaida suspects.

Territories in Azzan and Mahfad, two of al-Qaida's main bastions, have been recaptured by army troops.

However, the al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), also known as Ansar al-Sharia, has vowed to hit back in Yemen's main cities, including the capital Sanaa.

The AQAP is considered the most strategic threat to the Yemeni government and neighbouring oil-rich Saudi Arabia.

The AQAP militants have retaliated by launching suicide car attacks and roadside bombings across the impoverished Arab country.