At least 27 suspected AQAP militants and three soldiers were killed in the last 48 hours in clashes that has now spread to three different districts in Yemen’s southern province of Abyan, a defense ministry official and senior security officials in the province confirmed.
The fiercest clashes are taking place near the governmental headquarters in Zinjibar city.
The fighting has not stopped for three days, with security officials saying that the government is seeing strong progress in its fight against terror militants.
Security officials confirmed that the US trained counter terror units are not involved in the fighting, making it more difficult for government forces.
A senior Defense Ministry official said that terror militants were receiving large arms shipments through the shores of Abyan.
Residents told the Yemen Post that militants were increasing in number and that a number of foreign fighters can be traced on a daily basis.
Two eyewitnesses said that foreigners are also stationed in check points in parts of the province.