Soldier dies in clashes with Yemen militants

Soldier dies in clashes with Yemen militants

2011-01-11 06:25:44 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANNA, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) - At least one soldier was killed on Monday after Yemeni military forces clashed with southern militants in the troubled province of Lahj, the Xinhua news agency reported.

"Soldier Rasheed al-Subahi was killed and soldier Awath al-Kazimi was wounded early Monday in a shootout with the separatist militants while the army was combing the area and moving towards the mountains of Almilah," an official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The official added that army forces regained control over Almilah districts and the surrounding areas where militants were entrenched. Other media reports said a second soldier was also killed in the clashes.

The battles came after Saturday's clashes in which six soldiers were killed and four others wounded.

The ongoing civil war between the northern and southern part of Yemen began in 1994 after the unity deal between the People's General Congress Party and the Yemeni Socialist Party fell apart. Washington has been pressuring Sanaa to solve its internal conflicts and focus on fighting Yemen-based al-Qaida regional wing.

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