12 killed in suspected al-Qaeda attacks in south Yemen

Twelve people were killed Sunday in suspected al-Qaeda attacks against several military sites in the southern Yemeni province of Abyan, a security source said Sunday.

"Two Yemeni troops and 10 al-Qaeda militants were killed as the army repelled attacks by al-Qaeda gunmen against military sites in al-Mahfad area with the use of explosive-packed cars," the source told Anadolu Agency on the condition of anonymity.

According to the source, three car bombs went off simultaneously near a military site, while two others were detonated before reaching their targets, he added. The attacks left two troops and ten of the attackers dead, he said.

Dozens of militants had taken part in the dawn attacks that aimed to capture three army posts a military official said.

The Yemeni authorities are yet to comment on the incidents.

Yemen has been dogged by turmoil since pro-democracy protests in 2011 forced autocratic president Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down after 33 years in power.

In recent months, scores of security personnel have been killed in attacks across the country, which officials blame on suspected al-Qaeda-linked militants.