Al-Qaida-Yemen clashes leave 34 dead

SAN'A, Yemen -- Yemeni officials say fresh clashes with al-Qaida fighters in the south have left at least 34 people dead, while a suspected U.S. 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 militants.

Al-Qaida briefly overran parts of Bayda earlier this year.

Further south in Abyan province, fighting between Yemeni troops and al-Qaida fighters killed 12 soldiers and 22 al-Qaida militants.

The officials say the clashes took place about 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. -- AP