Clashes between Al-Qaeda militants and the army on the outskirts of Zinjibar in Yemen’s restive south left 20 people killed, most of them from Al-Qaeda, as soldiers advanced towards the city, AFP reported Friday.

Clashes between Al-Qaeda militants and the army on the outskirts of Zinjibar in Yemen's restive south left 20 people killed, most of them from Al-Qaeda, as soldiers advanced towards the city, AFP reported Friday.

Quoting the Yemeni Defense Ministry, the agency added said that “eighteen Al-Qaeda militants were killed and dozens wounded while the rest fled.”

“Two soldiers were also killed while seven others were wounded in the clashes that erupted late on Thursday,” it added.

The ministry further stated that “the army had made a major advance towards Zinjibar driving out the terrorist Al-Qaeda elements from several positions they held."