Sana’a: At least two soldiers and two separatists were killed and four others were injured after clashes in the restive southern province of Lahj where separation sentiment has been on the rise, local sources said on Saturday.

The clashes took place in Al Rabwah mountainous area, in Radfan of Lahj province after the security forces raided a group of separatists who struck security forces over the last few days.

Meanwhile, a non-Yemeni Al Qaida suspect was arrested in the southern Yemeni province of Abyan, according to the ministry of interior.

Jaber Ali Al Qaifi, 27, was arrested in the Mukairas area coming from the town of Lawdar where fierce confrontation between Al Qaida and Yemeni security forces killed more than 30 people, including 19 militants and 11 soldiers last month.

On Friday, Al Qaida suspect Saleh Ali Abdullah Al Dabani, 20, was arrested at the security check point of Amshak, Lawdar district, according to an official statement.

A soldier was killed and four others were injured in two separate Al Qaida attacks in the southern provinces of Abyan and Lahj, the ministry of interior said on Saturday.

The soldier, Mohammad Taher, was killed and soldier Abdullah Ali Abu Bakr was injured when Al Qaida militants attacked a patrol in Amoudia area in Abyan province late on Friday at the time of Iftar (ending fast), according to the ministry statement.