Six killed in Yemeni army troops' clashes with al-Qaida militants

ADEN, Yemen, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Heavy clashes broke out between Yemen's army forces and al-Qaida militants Thursday night at the main entrance of the southern port city of Aden, leaving five al-Qaida gunmen and one soldier killed, a local army official told Xinhua.

Three groups of al-Qaida militants carried out armed attacks targeting the main entrance of Aden and led to violent clashes between the two sides. The clashes, which are still ongoing, have killed six and injured dozens of others from both sides, said the official, who asked to remain anonymous.

Heavy machine guns and artilleries were used during the clashes, he added.

Local residents said heavy gunshots and rockets could be heard near the Al-Alam entrance.

Al-Qaida militants of the Yemen-based wing have stationed on the eastern outskirts of the country's main port city of Aden for two days, in an attempt to prepare to forcibly enter the city through the Al-Alam entrance.