Yemeni government forces have killed at least 13 suspected al-Qaeda militants, including a local leader identified as an Uzbek national.
Government forces backed by fighter jets and tanks continued their operation into areas of central and southern Yemen on May 1.
The offensive started on April 29 along three fronts in the remote Mafhed Mountains of Abyan and Shabwa provinces.
Yemeni officials said on May 1 that in an attack in Abyan Province an Uzbek national identified as Abu Muslim al-Uzbeki was killed.
Yemeni officials described al-Uzbeki as a local leader of al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula.
A security official, who declined to give his name, said al-Uzbeki arrived in Yemen from Uzbekistan in 2011.
Since the offensive started 28 suspected militants and 24 soldiers have been killed.
Government forces backed by fighter jets and tanks continued their operation into areas of central and southern Yemen on May 1.
The offensive started on April 29 along three fronts in the remote Mafhed Mountains of Abyan and Shabwa provinces.
Yemeni officials said on May 1 that in an attack in Abyan Province an Uzbek national identified as Abu Muslim al-Uzbeki was killed.
Yemeni officials described al-Uzbeki as a local leader of al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula.
A security official, who declined to give his name, said al-Uzbeki arrived in Yemen from Uzbekistan in 2011.
Since the offensive started 28 suspected militants and 24 soldiers have been killed.
