The Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that army troops assisted by local tribesmen managed to kill dozens of al-Qaeda-suspected militants in ongoing battles in the southern Yemeni war-torn province of Abyan.In a statement posted on its website, the ministry said that security forces and local tribesmen killed 28 militants in the western part of Lawdar, where fierce clashes are continuing for the fifth consecutive day, of Abyan during fierce clashes.The clashes erupted in Lawdar after the Islamists stormed an army outpost and killed dozens of soldiers last week. The Jihadists also loitered large quantity of heavy and medium weapons before they were forced to retreat due to the intensified attacks by US unmanned drones.The well-trained Counterterrorism troops, whom Hadi told defense minister to send to the south in order to be involved in the clashes against the terror network, were supposed to arrive to Abyan late Thursday but that did not take place.The troops and the public committees- armed local tribesmen- regained Um Ayan area of Lawder after forcing the militants to retreat, local media outlets reported Friday.Local tribesmen felt obliged to defend their towns and fight al-Qaeda alongside the government after they see the nation's army be outmaneuvered, with the militants storming military outposts, killing dozens of soldiers, and loitering heavy weapons.