Yemen troops clash with al-Qaeda in south; 17 dead

SANAA, Yemen — Yemeni officials said fresh clashes between government troops and al-Qaeda in the south have killed 17 on both sides.

Military officials said the fighting broke out early Sunday as the troops, supported by tribal fighters, launched a two-pronged attack on the key southern town of Jaar, which has been under the control of the militants since last year.

The officials said Yemeni warplanes pounded targets some five kilometers (three miles) outside Jaar. Up to 70 percent of Jaar's residents have fled the town over the past months to escape the fighting.

The officials said the dead include eight militants, four soldiers and five civilian volunteers fighting alongside the military. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations. (AP)