The Yemeni army imposed a curfew in several areas in Abyan province coinciding with further intensified battles to retake key strongholds of Al-Qaida militants, the defense ministry reported on Monday.
The areas were Alam-Zinjibar-Shuqra road, Arqoub road, Ahwar road, Jaheen-Amain, Harour-Jaar road, Jaar-Zinjibar road and Khubar-Wadhi road. The curfew, which came into effect at 6:00 pm Monday, has been triggered by terrorist operations and aims to protect the locals, the ministry said.
"The move has been taken after militants have started to use car bombs and explosive belts to target civilians and innocents at roads and populated areas," the ministry said in a statement.
Earlier today, four pro-army fighters were killed when militant suicide bombers detonated their car at a checkpoint in the Lawder town. The tribal fighters have also thwarted another bombing attempt.
The army has warned any car violates the curfew will be targeted until a further notice.
In the meantime, military reinforcements have been deployed to recapture militant-held towns including Shuqra, which has been used as a sea route for arms supply to the militants.
In mid-2011, Al-Qaida seized key towns including Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan, and the forces with direct support from locals and the US have recently stepped up the offensive to retake these towns.
The forces have so far cleared militants from some areas including Lawder.
Hundreds of militants including senior leaders have been killed and injured in Abyan and Shabwa in the past few months, amid the determination of the new government to eradicate terrorism from the country.