Death toll in Yemeni clashes rises from 64 to 127

[April 10, 2012]  SANAA, Yemen (AP) -- Yemeni army officials say heavy clashes overnight between the military and al-Qaida-linked militants in the south have killed 63 people, bringing the two-day death toll in the fighting to 127.

The officials say the fighting that broke out in the town of Lawder early Monday spilled over into Tuesday, with the army shelling militant hideouts in an effort to prevent them from sending reinforcements.

The officials say 56 militants, four soldiers and three tribal fighters were killed overnight and early Tuesday.

They say militants also attacked an army post Tuesday along the border of Shabwa and Marib provinces, killing 11 people.

Al-Qaida's Yemeni branch has exploited the country's political turmoil to seize territory in the south of the impoverished Arab nation.

[Associated Press; By AHMED AL-HAJ]

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