Yemen: Death toll in al-Qaeda attacks rises to 85

An injured man lies on a stretcher in a hospital after a suicide bombing near the southern Yemeni city of Zinjibar, capital of the Abyan province March 4, 2012. Suicide bombers linked to al Qaeda killed at least seven soldiers in coordinated attacks on military outposts in southern Yemen on Sunday, officials and residents said, part of an escalation of violence since a presidential vote two weeks ago. (Reuters Pictures)

ADEN (Reuters) - At least 85 soldiers were killed in twin suicide bombings and ensuing clashes with al Qaeda-linked fighters in south Yemen Sunday, medical sources said Monday.

Militants detonated two vehicles laden with explosives at two army posts outside the southern Yemeni city of Zinjibar early Sunday, sparking heavy clashes between Islamist fighters and the military.

Medics Sunday had put the number of army personnel killed at 35. A military source said some soldiers were also missing.

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