An armed group believed to be Southern Movement affiliates captured three more soldiers, including an officer, on Sunday at the entrance to Al-Dale province, local official said on anonymity.
Ahmed Al-Ghithi, an officer, was traveling by taxi on the way to Aden when he was captured, said the same source.
On Saturday media reporters cited the Southern Movement as saying that the abduction of the soldiers was a move to pressure Sana'a into prisoner exchange. "Saturday's abductions were to pressure the authorities to free prisoners detained ahead of the Gulf Cup football tournament, it said in statement.
Fares Abdullah Saleh, charged of the twin October 11 that killed three soldiers, was sentenced to death on Saturday by a court ruling. Thousands of the Southern Movement supporters took to the streets of Al-Dale city as a result.
Meanwhile, residents said dozens of gunmen from the Southern Movement were forcing businesses in Dale to close and motorists to keep off the roads.