SANAA, (AFP) –Yemeni tribesmen have killed two suspected Al-Qaeda militants in the restive southern province of Abyan, a tribal source said on Friday.

“Our armed men killed Al-Qaeda fighters Abdullah Umeir and Shokri Shaher as they tried to infiltrate Mudia,” a town in the province held by tribesmen, late on Thursday, the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

According to a military official, nine suspected Al-Qaeda militants were killed in an attack on a Yemeni army unit late on Wednesday near Abyan’s capital Zinjibar.

Since May, Yemeni troops backed by tribesmen have been battling militants believed to be affiliated with Al-Qaeda to regain control of at least three cities in Abyan, including Zinjibar, under militant control.