Yemeni officials say an air strike has killed three suspected militants in southern Yemen.

Officials said Thursday that six other people were injured in the strike which took place in the village of Shaqra. The village is part of a region where Yemeni security forces have been waging ongoing battles against al-Qaida-linked militants.

As President Ali Abdullah Saleh's government tries to oust the militants from their southern strongholds, it has also dealt with anti-government unrest.

On Wednesday, at least two people were killed and dozens wounded in clashes in the capital, Sana'a, and in the city of Taiz.

Medical officials say the victims included civilians, tribal fighters and government soldiers.

In Taiz, shelling by government troops killed two people, including a woman.

In Sana'a, security forces fired on protesters calling for Mr. Saleh's resignation. Government troops also clashed with dissident soldiers. At least 40 people were wounded in the incidents.

Also Wednesday, hundreds of women in the capital set their Islamic veils on fire in a protest against the government.

Mr. Saleh has said several times that he is willing to accept a proposal from the Gulf Cooperation Council that would give him immunity from prosecution if he handed power to a deputy within 30 days. However, in each case he has backed down without signing the measure.