Yemen strikes suspected al Qaeda base

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Yemen's air force has struck a suspected al Qaeda position in a southern province, a government-linked website reported, and residents said up to 20 people may have been killed.

Western allies and neighbouring oil exporter Saudi Arabia fear al Qaeda is exploiting instability on multiple fronts in impoverished Yemen to recruit and train militants for attacks in the region and beyond.

"This area (in Abyan province) had seen an appreciable rise in activity by al Qaeda elements, which was being monitored by security services,'' the website of the ruling party reported, citing security and local officials.

Residents told Reuters that up to 20 people may have been killed in the raid, which occurred late on Sunday.

Yemen has stepped up its attacks on al Qaeda after the Yemen-based regional arm of the militant group claimed responsibility for a failed attempt to bomb a US-bound plane in December.

But residents and opposition groups have said dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed in a December 17 air strike in which authorities had said more than 30 al Qaeda members were killed.

Earlier in March, the government expressed regret over the civilian deaths in that raid in south Yemen and said it would pay compensation to families of civilian victims.

Al Qaeda's wing in Yemen has said the Christmas Day failed bombing of the US plane was in retaliation for the December 17 raid which it accused the US air force of carrying out.

- AP