Al-Qaida militants begin to withdraw from Zinjibar city in south Yemen

ADEN, Yemen, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of al-Qaida militants, who took control of several governmental buildings and facilities in Yemen's southern province of Abyan few days ago, began on Monday night to withdraw from Abyan's provincial capital city Zinjibar, a local security official told Xinhua.

The al-Qaida militants started withdrawing from Zinjibar city towards Jaar district and vacated some government buildings they had seized during the past two days, said the official, who asked to remain anonymous.

Fierce confrontations and air raids by the army forces targeting al-Qaida hideouts have left 21 soldier killed and dozens of others injured, the official said.

A number of vehicles were seen carrying a number of dead and wounded al-Qaida militants while heading towards the city of Jaar, the official added.