A military official confirmed on Sunday that at least six militants linked to al-Qaeda were killed and others were wounded when army troops repelled an attack launched by militants on a branch of the Central Bank as well as on other institutions in Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan governorate, in a bid to gain control of the city.

The unidentified official told the state-run news website that clashes with the militants lasted from 5 to 7 a.m. Sunday, and the troops managed to repel the militants’ attack and to kill some of them.

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Rebels told the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) on Monday that more than 100 soldiers were killed in clashes and attacks on security forces’ checkpoints across Syria, including the suburbs of Damascus and Idlib Province.

The observatory said local doctors had confirmed the names of 80 dead Syrian soldiers.

At least 19 soldiers, eight rebels and 19 civilians were killed in violence on Sunday, the watchdog added.

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Israeli forces launched renewed airstrikes on the Gaza Strip overnight Sunday, injuring one person, medics said.

A dairy factory in a Gaza City neighborhood was hit in the third day of airstrikes on the coastal enclave. One man sustained moderate wounds, medics said.

Another airstrike targeted an open area east of Gaza City, witnesses said. No injuries were reported.

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Syrian rebels gave the regime of Bashar al-Assad until Friday noon to implement the Annan peace plan which includes a cessation of violence in the country, otherwise they see themselves free not to respect the plan. “If the Syrian regime does not meet the deadline of Friday noon, the command of the Free Syrian Army would be free not to abide to the Annan plan (…) and our duty is (… ) to protect civilians, “said the FSA in a statement.

The rebels called for a “commitment not to attack the UN observer mission and the opening of serious negotiations through the United Nations to restore power to the people.”

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Confrontations continue between the Yemeni military — backed by people’s committees, groups of civilian fighters who fight alongside the army — and Ansar al-Sharia in Zinjibar, after a week of purging several areas in Abyan.

A military source near Zinjibar told the Yemen Times on Sunday that clashes are ongoing, pointing out that the military had gained control of several areas in Abyan, including a large portion of Jaar, the main stronghold of Ansar al-Sharia.

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