At least 30 army soldiers and 14 militants were killed today in Yemen's Abyan province, according to government officials.
The military said that fighters of the Ansar al-Sharia group, which is linked to al-Qaida, had launched a series of co-ordinated suicide attacks on army outposts in the area before attacking in force. Equipment had been seized and "dozens" of soldiers kidnapped, local officers reported.
The attack came a day after suicide bombers hit a Republican Guard camp in Bayda, 75 miles south of the capital Sanaa.
Militants gained entry to the camp by bringing an ox they said was a gift for the camp's commander and then detonated their explosives once inside.
| Next time it will be a large, wooden badger... |
A government spokesman said the attack was designed to "create confusion for the new president." |