Four Yemeni policemen died in clashes with Islamist fighters during an operation against wanted militants in the south of the country on Saturday, witnesses told AFP. According to the report, the deadly shootout erupted in Jaar, northeast of the port city of Aden, where police had been hunting for wanted members of jihadist groups.
Hospital sources said two policemen and a passerby were also injured in the fighting. "This campaign comes after dissident elements attacked members of the security forces and government interests, and disrupted peace and security over the past few weeks," a Jaar security official told AFP.
According to another official, quoted by the AP, 300 troops with 30 armored vehicles stormed the town to wrest it from veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
