Twin attacks Sunday took place near Zinjibar, one of the towns overrun by militants during a nationwide security breakdown caused by the nine-month popular uprising seeking to oust autocratic President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
In one clash, tribesmen allied with government forces exchanged fire with militants at a checkpoint, killing three, two of them Somali citizens, the official said. In the other, the army shelled a militant position, killing five, two of them Saudi citizens.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media.
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