Officials in Yemen say the military has killed dozens of suspected al-Qaida-linked militants in the country's south.

Military and medical officials said early Wednesday Yemeni forces killed at least 30 militants near Zinjibar in Abyan province, and that seven soldiers were also killed during clashes in the area.

Militants have taken control of several areas in southern Yemen during the 6-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 remove the Islamist militants, but have made only modest headway after weeks of fighting and airstrikes.