Yemen: 36 killed in fighting with al Qaeda

Sanaa: Yemeni officials say fresh clashes with al Qaeda fighters in the south have left at least 34 people dead, while a suspected US drone strike has killed two militants.

The officials say the drone attack took place in the central province of Bayda, killing a Somali and Yemeni militants.

Al Qaeda briefly ovverran parts of Bayda earlier this year.

Further south in Abyan province, fighting between Yemeni troops and al-Qaida fighters killed 12 soldiers and 22 al Qaeda militants.

The officials say the clashes took place some 10 kilometers (six miles) outside Jaar, a key town that has been under the control of militants since last year.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations.

PTI