“Our forces are also angry that they have not been provided with the weapons and other equipment to confront the jihadists, who have been stepping up their armed attacks,” the official said.
Al-Qaeda fighters set up roadblocks around the towns and blew up two security service buildings.
Saudi-led aircraft carried out two strikes on jihadist positions in Loder overnight, the official added.
Tribal sources said there were fears that the jihadists would now move on the provincial capital Zinjibar.
Zinjibar lies just 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Yemen’s second city Aden where the government is based.
Al-Qaeda has taken advantage of nearly two years of fighting between government forces and Shiite rebels who control the capital Sanaa to entrench its presence in the south.
Sourced from agencies, Featured image courtesy: aljazeera.com
