A suicide bomber slammed his explosive-ladden car into a checkpoint in Raada - a town in the province of al-Baydha, where al-Qaeda militants are believed to have several strongholds on Monday.

Security officials revealed under anonymity as they were not allowed to discuss such matters with the press that the move came after a failure by the state to secure the liberation of the three western hostages. The government currently believes they are being held captive by al-Qaeda. it claims that the Finnish couple and an Austrian national were sold out to terror militants, after their kidnapping by tribesmen in the capital, Sana'a in December 2012. The government has not put forward proof to their claims. Twelve soldiers died in the explosion and an estimated 13 others were injured.

The province lies south-east of Sana'a and share regional borders with the provinces of Shabwa and Marib, also inhabited by terror militants - to it is believe retaliate against the military offensive currently taking place against al-Qaeda in the nearby town of al-Manaseh. 

Yemen Defense Minister order on Monday a simultaneous ground and air attack against the city of al-Manaseh where al-Qaeda set up base.

Residents in and around al-Manaseh reported heavy shelling on the early hours of the morning and heavy shooting.

A government official confirmed the army had begun its offensive "at dawn on Monday."