Almotamar.net - Some 37 militants were killed and dozens injured in the battle the army waged on al-Qaeda in Maifa'a district of Shabwa province, a military official said Sunday.

"Most of those militants are from Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Somali, Chechnya and other countries," the official said.

The army has destroyed a number of the militants' vehicles and weapons, he said, adding that the troops backed by the popular committees are carry on combing operation in the areas the terrorists fled to.

The official called on citizens of Maifa'a and Azzan districts not to shelter or allow the terrorist to enter their homes or villages.

The Defense Minister Mohammed Nasser Ahmed saluted the armed and military forces' courage in confronting "the elements of evil and terrorism".

During his visit to the troops in the combat areas in Maifa'a district, the Minister was briefed on the victories they have achieved since the last Tuesday, when the army launched a major offensive aimed at clearing al-Qaida militants from their remaining hideouts in Shabwa and Abyan provinces.

Military sources said that al-Qaeda has suffered huge losses, stressing that the army is clamping down on the terrorists.

Since Tuesday, many leaders and dozens of fighters of al-Qaeda have been killed or arrested in an offensive.