San’a (Sunatimes) An air strike in Yemen’s Ebyen province has killed three Al-Shabaab militants fighting along side Al-Qaeda network, sources say.

Somali consul in Yemen, Hussein Hajji Ahmed, told Bar-kulan that nine militants including three Al-Shabaab elements of Somali nationals were killed during the raid.

He said Somali embassy was informed of the incident but did not specify the source, adding that it was the second incident in this month only which Somalis fighting alongside with Al-Qaeda were killed in Yemen.

He further said the militants were helping Al-Qaeda in its fight against the Yemeni government.

Speaking to the press earlier, Hajji said foreign extremist including Al-Shabaab elements of Somali nationals flocked into Yemen since Al-Shabaab pulled out of all positions in Mogadishu earlier last August.

Al-Shabaab has earlier announced that it has pledged allegiances with Al-Qaeda and has close ties with its network in Yemen.

By Sahra Abdi