Sanaa:
Yemeni officials say fresh clashes with Al Qaeda fighters in the south have left at least 34 people dead, while a suspected US drone strike has killed two militants.
The officials say the drone attack took place in the central province of Bayda, killing a Somali and a Yemeni militant.
Al Qaeda briefly overran parts of Bayda earlier this year.
Further south in Abyan province, fighting between Yemeni troops and Al Qaeda fighters killed 12 soldiers and 22 Al Qaeda militants.
The officials say the clashes took place some 10 kilometers (six miles) outside Jaar, a key town that has been under the control of militants since last year.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations.