Some 30 people have been reported killed in a third day of fighting between government troops and militants in the south of Yemen.
Officials said at least 25 of those killed on April 11 were Al-Qaeda militants.
The latest casualties take to more than 150 the number of those killed in clashes in and around the town of Lawdar in the southern Abyan province since April 9.
The fighting began when militants attacked a military camp in the area.
During a year of turmoil that eventually forced longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh out of office in February, Al-Qaeda-linked militants have seized control of territory in the south of the country.
The United States and its regional allies fear Yemen is becoming a major front in the fight against the terrorist network.
Officials said at least 25 of those killed on April 11 were Al-Qaeda militants.
The latest casualties take to more than 150 the number of those killed in clashes in and around the town of Lawdar in the southern Abyan province since April 9.
The fighting began when militants attacked a military camp in the area.
During a year of turmoil that eventually forced longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh out of office in February, Al-Qaeda-linked militants have seized control of territory in the south of the country.
The United States and its regional allies fear Yemen is becoming a major front in the fight against the terrorist network.