Security officials in Yemen say dozens of al-Qaida militants have escaped from a prison after an attack on the facility in the country's south.

Officials say the militants clashed with guards Wednesday at the prison in Mukalla, leaving one guard dead and two others wounded. The militants included both prisoners and a band of armed attackers who raided the prison.

Insurgents have launched several attacks in southern Yemen during the country's political unrest.

On Sunday, military officials said clashes killed 12 al-Qaida-linked militants and at least two Yemeni soldiers outside the city of Zinjibar. Armed militants also renewed attacks earlier this month against government buildings near the town of Houta.