Two officers and two soldiers of Yemen’s government forces were killed when an improvised explosive device planted by unknown militants detonated on the road linking Al-Khasha’a and Al-Abr in Hadhramaut province.

Military spokesperson Mohammed al-Naqeeb accused “terrorist elements” of planting the device after being expelled from the valley and desert of Hadhramaut during Operation “Promising Future.”

In Abyan province, government forces announced they had foiled an al-Qaeda attack targeting the 6th Support and Reinforcement Brigade headquarters in Wadi Omaran, injuring one soldier.

The incidents come amid increased militant activity in southern provinces.