Yemen military battles militants in south, 9 killed

Associated Press

Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:34 PM

Updated today at 3:35 PM

SANAA, Yemen (AP) ? There are reports of more fighting in Yemen.

A military official says the army is battling al-Qaida-linked militants in a city in the country's south. Islamic militants seized control of Zinjibar and another town several months ago, taking advantage of the uprising against President Ali Abdullah Saleh (AH'-lee ahb-DUH'-luh sah-LEH') to expand their territory.

The official says the army has been shelling militant hideouts. Five soldiers and four militants were killed in today's battle.

Saleh signed a deal last month to transfer power in exchange for immunity from prosecution over the deaths of protesters and corruption during his 33-year rule.

The deal has failed to quell the protests in Yemen, which have recently expanded to include labor strikes, calling for Saleh loyalists to be removed from office and for Saleh to be put on trial. But according to a senior U.S. official, the Obama administration is considering whether to allow Saleh into the United States for medical treatment.

Today, the military says a top general accused of corruption is being replaced after a brief strike by about a 1,000 soldiers. The strikers accuse the general of running his own prison and jailing soldiers even for minor offenses. Some were kept in chains.

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132-r-13-(Sound of shouting and gunfire, as pro-government Yemenis rally in support of outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh ((AH'-lee ahb-DUH'-luh sah-LEH')))--Sound of shouting and gunfire, as pro-government Yemenis rally in support of outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh. (26 Dec 2011)

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131-r-11-(Sound of soldiers from Yemen's Armed Forces Moral Guidance Department, protesting against their director, Major General Ali Hassan Al-Shater, the outgoing president's media secretary)--Sound of soldiers from Yemen's Armed Forces Moral Guidance Department, protesting against their director, Major General Ali Hassan Al-Shater, the outgoing president's media secretary. (26 Dec 2011)

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APPHOTO CAI103: Protestors shout slogans during a demonstration demanding the prosecution of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, Dec. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (26 Dec 2011)

<<APPHOTO CAI103 (12/26/11)>>

APPHOTO CAI105: Yemeni army soldiers cast shadows as they line up to block the path of protestors marching to demand the prosecution of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, Dec. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (26 Dec 2011)

<<APPHOTO CAI105 (12/26/11)>>

APPHOTO CAI107: Protesters march during a demonstration demanding the prosecution of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (25 Dec 2011)

<<APPHOTO CAI107 (12/25/11)>>

APPHOTO CAI105: An elderly protester chants slogans during a demonstration demanding the prosecution of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (25 Dec 2011)

<<APPHOTO CAI105 (12/25/11)>>

Source: http://www.krem.com/news/world/136231138.html

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