Yemeni officials say navy ships have shelled coastal regions in the southern province of Abyan, killing 29 al-Qaeda militants, Today's Zaman reported.
Military and security officials say the rocket and artillery shelling was spread out over a 24-hour period that ended on Thursday. They say the shelling targeted al-Qaeda positions around the city of Zinjibar, Abyan's provincial capital.
Zinjibar is one of several southern towns captured last year by al-Qaeda militants seeking to profit from the country's political turmoil.
The officials also say the militants have executed a senior security officer who was kidnapped in the town of Mukkala in the southeast Hadramout province.