4 Yemeni troops die in clashes

Four soldiers were killed in a third day of fighting in Zinjibar between the army and al-Qaeda-linked militants trying to take over the restive southern city, military officials said yesterday.
"Four soldiers were killed and at least 20 others were wounded" in the battles to retake full control over Zinjibar from fighters of the al-Qaeda linked Partisans of Sharia group late Tuesday, they said.
A local official in the adjacent town of Jaar said meanwhile that nearly 10 extremists were killed in the fighting.
Yemeni government forces have been backed by tribal fighters and sometimes supported by US drone strikes in their fight against the Partisans of Sharia, which has controlled most of Zinjibar since May.