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Seventeen militants die in southern Yemen clashes | Seventeen militants die in southern Yemen clashes |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Seventeen militants and at least two government soldiers have died in clashes in south Yemen, the army says. | Seventeen militants and at least two government soldiers have died in clashes in south Yemen, the army says. |
The clashes began on Tuesday night when the army retaliated for an al-Qaeda attack near Zinjibar, and carried on into Wednesday morning. | The clashes began on Tuesday night when the army retaliated for an al-Qaeda attack near Zinjibar, and carried on into Wednesday morning. |
The army has been taking part in a new offensive to regain territory in the area lost last year. | The army has been taking part in a new offensive to regain territory in the area lost last year. |
Earlier, in the capital, Sanaa, thousands took to the streets to demand the speeding up of democratic reforms. | |
Demonstrators in Sanaa's Change Square called for the prosecution of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who relinquished power after mass rallies against his rule. | |
The authorities have now begun to dismantle the main protest camp in the square, correspondents say. | |
The clearing of the camp from the square was part of the political agreement that eventually saw President Saleh resign. | |
Key priority | |
Correspondents say the latest clashes were among the fiercest since the military began its assault early last month against Ansar al-Sharia, a group linked to al-Qaeda, in the southern province of Abyan. | Correspondents say the latest clashes were among the fiercest since the military began its assault early last month against Ansar al-Sharia, a group linked to al-Qaeda, in the southern province of Abyan. |
Since being elected in February, President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi has vowed to make fighting al-Qaeda a key priority. | Since being elected in February, President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi has vowed to make fighting al-Qaeda a key priority. |
More than 350 people - mostly militants - have died in the campaign, which has the backing of the US. | More than 350 people - mostly militants - have died in the campaign, which has the backing of the US. |
The army claims it is now in control of almost 90% of Zinjibar but is still fighting to retake the northern part of the city. | The army claims it is now in control of almost 90% of Zinjibar but is still fighting to retake the northern part of the city. |
Ansar al-Sharia, whose name means "Partisans of Islamic law" in Arabic, was formed by al-Qaeda in response to the growing youth movement in Yemen, which marginalised Salafi-jihadists who want the violent overthrow of the government. | Ansar al-Sharia, whose name means "Partisans of Islamic law" in Arabic, was formed by al-Qaeda in response to the growing youth movement in Yemen, which marginalised Salafi-jihadists who want the violent overthrow of the government. |
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