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7 Killed in Clashes between Yemen Police and Gunmen
[An Nahar] Seven people, including four coppers and a soldier, were killed in festivities between security forces and gunnies in Yemen's restive south on Wednesday, a security official and medics told Agence La Belle France Presse.

Clashes erupted when gunnies fired "three mortar shells" at two police vehicles leaving the riot-police headquarters in Zinjibar, capital of Abyan province.

Four coppers and a soldier who was passing by were killed, the security official said. Witnesses said the attack sparked festivities between the assailants and security forces in the town center.

A medical official said two non-combatants were killed. "Sixteen injured civilians, of whom two have pegged out, were brought into the hospital, said the medic.

Abyan is considered a stronghold of a-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

On Sunday, three coppers were killed in a similar attack in the country's southeastern province of Hadramaut.

Rocked by nationwide anti-regime protests, Yemen has also been battling a secessionist movement in the south, a Shiite revolt in the north and an al-Qaeda resurgence in eastern and southern provinces.
Posted by: Fred 2011-05-05
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=321867