The Yemeni army has recaptured two towns that had been seized by militants with links to al-Qaeda.

The country’s defence ministry said the southern towns of Jaar and Zinjibar were now back in government hands.

They had been under control of Ansar al-Sharia for more than a year.

Yemen’s military began the offensive to reclaim them with support from the United States in May.

Last year, the country was rocked by protests against former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Saleh eventually resigned and handed power to his deputy. But militant activity continued, fuelling fears that Yemen could be driven into civil war.

The country is close to major oil fields and important shipping
lanes. Its Arab Gulf neighbours have been worried that instability could
spread across its borders.