Yemen’s army pressed an offensive Tuesday against southern towns held by Al-Qaeda-linked fighters, with 11 militants and five soldiers killed in the clashes, military officials said.

Clashes around the town of Jaar, which fell to the militants more than a year ago, left eight Al-Qaeda fighters and two soldiers dead over the past 24 hours, they said.

Another three Al-Qaeda fighters and three soldiers were killed after militants ambushed an army supply column northeast of Zinjibar.

The officials said the army continued its cautious advance toward the nearby town of Jaar supported by heavy artillery shelling.