Yemen: 4 policemen killed in clashes with Islamists

Four policemen were killed Saturday in Yemen in clashes with Islamist militants at a major police offensive in the south, according to witnesses.

•     Clashes erupted in the town of Jaar, northeast of the port city of Aden, where the police search of members of extremist groups.
  
      The operation began after the elements had attacked members of the security forces and governmental interests in recent weeks, said to the press a source within the security services.
  
      In addition to the four policemen killed, one civilian and seven policemen were wounded, two seriously, in fighting, according to a source from the hospital.
  
      According to inhabitants of Jaar, security forces cordoned off the town early in the morning and raided homes in search of Islamic militants. The sound of shooting and explosions was heard.
  
      According to sources close to the extremist Islamic Jihad movement, four people were arrested by security forces.
  
      Yemen has experienced in recent months attacks against the security of oil installations, Western interests and foreign tourists, most claimed by the Al Qaeda movement.
  
      The Yemeni branch of the network of Osama Ben Laden has claimed a suicide bombing in mid-March which made five dead, including four South Korean tourists.
  
      A court in Sanaa judge currently members of a suspected cell of Al Qaeda- eleven Yemenis, four Syrians and a Saudi - accused of having committed at least 13 armed attacks, one of which killed two Belgian tourists and others have targeted U.S. interests including the embassy of the United States.
  
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.