In this Saturday, May 3, 2014 photo provided by the Yemen Defense Ministry, Yemeni troops move near the frontline of fighting with al-Qaida in the southeastern province of Shabwa, Yemen.
Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi says his country is an "open war" with al-Qaeda as one of the country's largest offensive against the terror group in south has been pushing militants out of their strongholds.
Hadi made the remarks in a statement aired on state television Thursday. He said that the military will expand its operations to include areas other than Shabwa and Abyan, the southern provinces which witnessed a strong al-Qaeda presence before the offensive, to include others like Baida and Marib
Yemen's military continues to battle militants taking shelter inside schools and government buildings in the one-time al-Qaeda stronghold of Azzan in Shabwa. The battles came after a day of fierce clashes in the same town forced families to flee.