ADEN, Yemen, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Warplanes of the Yemeni air forces carried out several airstrikes against al-Qaida targets in various areas of the southern province of Abyan, leaving four al- Qaida fighters killed and seven others injured on Wednesday morning, local army officer told Xinhua.
The airstrikes targeted hideouts of several al-Qaida leaders, who were gathering and planning to carry out revenge attacks against the army forces in the al-Qaida-seized Zinjibar city, the officer who asked to remain anonymous told Xinhua, adding that four al-Qaida militants were killed and seven others were injured during the air strike in Amoodia area.
Al-Qaida militants pulled out from a number of areas across the Zinjibar city, the provincial capital of Abyan province, in an attempt to attack the army troops of the 25th Mechanized Brigade following the heavy losses among al-Qaida militants during the airstrikes and clashes since Tuesday evening, according to the army officer.
The officer said also that al-Qaida militants organized military training and exercises to hundreds of al-Qaida fighters in Jaar area.
The army troops of the besieged 25th Mechanized Brigade, which was encircled from all sides by al-Qaida since a month ago, were still appealing for military reinforcements and supplies.
The country's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that units of the army forces supported by air forces killed at least 40 al- Qaida militants during airstrikes and fierce clashes in Zinjibar city.
The worsening internal situation in Yemen created a haven for al-Qaida to plot, plan and mount domestic attacks on military brigades and government buildings in Yemen's southern and eastern main provinces during the past two years.
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