Dozens of al-Qaida militants launched an armed attack to regain control over bastions seized by government forces in the outskirts of Lauder town, sparking hours-long fighting that left up to four soldiers and 13 terrorists killed, the local official said on condition of anonymity.
The al-Qaida militants failed to recapture two strategic sites in Jabel Yusuf area in Lauder's suburbs after encountering heavy firepower and shelling from government forces backed by pro- government tribesmen, the official said.
Under pressure from air raids, dozens of al-Qaida militants withdrew from several areas in Lauder, he added.
Elsewhere in Abyan, a commander of the army told Xinhua anonymously that "government troops are moving quickly towards al- Qaida-held town of Jaar, the second biggest town of Abyan. We are just a few miles away from Jaar."
"Military officials are also attempting to cut supplies into the al-Qaida-held sites," he added.
On Tuesday, fierce battles between the army forces and al-Qaida militants brought the death toll into 53 people killed and dozens of injures, according to local officials.
The Yemeni army has been fighting the al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) since the Yemeni and Saudi terrorist wings merged in 2009.
Al-Qaida has recently tried to tighten its grip in Yemen by exploiting the unrest and security disorders. The militants seized some towns in provinces of Abyan and Shabwa in 2011, while the army has been trying to prevent them from expanding their presence.
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