7 dead in Yemen clash with militants

Yemeni troops clashed with Al Qaeda linked militants in a new attempt to regain control of Abyan province that left seven people dead, a military official said on Sunday.

A soldier and six militants were killed in the fighting, which erupted late on Saturday north of the southern province's capital Zinjibar, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Three soldiers were also wounded.

Militants of the Partisans of Sharia (Islamic law) group overran much of Zinjibar last May and have retained their positions in the city and nearby towns despite repeated efforts by the army to dislodge them that have left hundreds dead.