Sanaa, July 4 (IANS) At least 13 Al Qaeda militants and 10 soldiers were killed when the militants launched an attack at military troops in Yemen Sunday, army officers said.

The attack took place in the southern province of Abyan. Dozens were injured from both sides, the officers told Xinhua.

Clashes were still going on in various parts of the Al Qaeda-seized Zinjibar city.

Fierce battles erupted late Friday between Al Qaeda militants and troops of the 25th Mechanised Brigade stationed in the outskirts of Zinjibar, More than 50 soldiers have been taken as hostages, they said.