Yemen battle kills 36 troops

 Yemeni military officials say at least 36 soldiers and 14 al-Qaeda militants have been killed in fighting in the southern province of Abyan. The officials said Sunday’s fighting was taking place west of Abyan’s provincial capital of Zinjibar, held by militants since May.

The attacks underscore the challenges facing President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi as he tries to restore stability to Yemen after a year of protests against his predecessor, Ali Abdullah Saleh, that pushed the country to the brink of civil war.

Residents and local officials said a vehicle containing explosives blew up at a military position held by coastal guards at the western entrance of Zinjibar, capital of the Abyan province.

Another vehicle was detonated at an artillery position at the southern entrance of Zinjibar, killing and wounding an unknown number of people.

Medical sources said at least seven had been killed and 12 were injured. Residents and local officials put the death toll at 15.

Militants, believed to be from Ansar al-Sharia — a group linked to al Qaeda that controls Zinjibar — attacked the two posts with automatic fire after the blasts, seizing equipment and capturing dozens of soldiers.

Residents of Jaar, a militant stronghold located some 15 km north of Zinjibar, reported seeing military vehicles arriving in the town.

Months of weakened central government control have been exploited by a regional wing of al-Qaeda, which has expanded its foothold in the south of the country.