Yemeni attack in south slows

A YEMENI military advance against al-Qaeda targets in the country’s south has slowed amid fears of a counter-attack.

Troops, directed by US special forces, have entered Zinjibar, capital of Abyan province, which has been controlled by al-Qaeda linked fighters since the country was engulfed in political turmoil last year that led to the ousting of president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Yemeni officials said poor intelligence had also hampered their attack.

They said commanders were unsure whether most of the militants in the city had been killed, had fled the battle or had retreated for tactical reasons.