A Yemeni soldier who defected looks on as he stands guard with others at a checkpoint next to the site of a demonstration by anti-government protestors demanding the resignation of Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa, Yemen, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. (AP)
Medical officials and witnesses say at least five civilians have been killed in the past 48 hours in military strikes in southern Yemen.
Officials say that another 38 civilians have been wounded in the military offensive against Al Qaeda linked militants. Wounded civilians had to get treatment at field clinics because government hospitals are closed.
In recent weeks, government troops, backed by U.S. airstrikes, have stepped up attacks on militants who have taken advantage of internal political turmoil to seize control of parts of southern Yemen.
Officials say 17 militants and eight soldiers were killed Wednesday, along with a 14 year-old who died when an airstrike hit her house.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because they were not authorized to brief reporters.
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