SANAA, Yemen, March 4 (UPI) -- At least nine soldiers were killed in attacks on military posts in the southern province of Abyan in Yemen, security officials said.
Explosive-laden vehicles hit military posts near Zinjibar and Dofas, killing five soldiers and injuring seven, CNN reported Sunday. In another attack, four soldiers were killed and three injured at a military checkpoint in al-Kod, the U.S. broadcaster said.
Clashes in all three areas erupted Saturday night. A security official told CNN the attacks were against government forces and large amounts of heavy artillery were used.
"Casualties are high from both sides," he said.
Although no group claimed responsibility for the attacks, officials speculated they were perpetrated by an al-Qaida offshoot called Ansar al-Sharia, CNN said.
