Soldier killed, 7 injured in clashes with al-Qaida militants in south Yemen

ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- At least one soldier was killed and seven others seriously injured on Saturday evening in armed confrontations between Yemeni army forces and dozens of al- Qaida militants in the southern province of Abyan, an army officer said.

Fierce clashes took place between units of army forces and dozens of the al-Qaida militants in the eastern part of Zinjibar city, the provincial capital of Abyan, which was recaptured last week by the government troops, a local army officer told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Dozens of al-Qaida militants, carrying automatic weapons, launched an attack on the army units, as they were trying to make advance in the eastern outskirts of Zinjibar city, the officer said, adding the clashes led to the death of one soldier and the injury of seven others.

The eastern parts of Zinjibar are still held by the al-Qaida militants, according to military intelligence officers.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida wing vowed to avenge U.S. airstrikes against its hideouts in Abyan province.

The government troops last week freed the besieged army forces and recaptured Zinjibar city after three-month-long fighting with militants of the al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).