Yemen officials have boosted their cooperation with United States intelligence and counter-terrorism efforts in recent months, attempting to push back al-Qaida militants and insurgents who have captured towns and other territory, the Los Angeles Times reported.

According to the Los Angeles Times, U.S. officials are sharing intelligence with Yemen, though it wasn’t clear if that played a role in the Yemeni government’s counteroffensive or broader conflict.

The Associated Press reported that Islamic militants linked to al-Qaida have taken advantage of Yemen’s unrest over anti-government protests. Militants have taken over towns and the provincial capital of the southern province of Abyan. Thousands of civilians have been displaced.

Fighting between Yemeni government forces and al-Qaida militants Tuesday night in southern Yemen left 14 dead, including 12 militants, the AP reported.

Yemen’s president Ali Abdullah Saleh is not currently in Yemen. He was taken to a hospital in Saudi Arabia after his palace was bombed in June and has yet to return.

Saleh has been Yemen’s leader for almost 33 years, according to the AP, and remains in power amid protests demanding his ouster since February. He claims al-Qaida will take over Yemen if he leaves.

-----

 

Reach executive producer Agnus-Dei Farrant here.