An elderly anti-government protestor Air strikes in south Yemen killed at least seven Islamists, 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, who seized two cities and an army base in the past few months.
A security official said the air strikes were carried out by the Yemeni air force, refuting reports by residents that the planes looked like American drones.
Residents said the strikes hit a government building, where security officials said 50 militants were suspected of hiding.
From THE JORDAN TIMES .