Yemeni officials say at least 11 militants and two soldiers have been killed in the southern Abyan province, where security forces have been battling al-Qaida-linked militants.

The fighting took place Sunday in and around the provincial capital, Zinjibar.

Militants have taken control of several areas in southern Yemen during the six-month uprising pressing for President Ali Abdullah Saleh's resignation. Mr. Saleh remains in Saudi Arabia where he is recovering from injuries sustained in a June attack on his presidential compound.

Government forces have been trying to dislodge the Islamist militants, but they have made only modest headway after weeks of fighting and airstrikes.

The United States and Saudi Arabia have expressed concern that the militants will take advantage of Yemen's anti-government unrest to expand their haven in the country and plot attacks against the West.