| Yemen has expanded its search for backers of al Qaeda and arrested militants belonging to other factions. Authorities have arrested a number of suspects from hard-line organizations, an official said without providing further details. The death toll from a clash last week between security forces and the militants and their tribal hosts rose to 24 troops after six wounded soldiers died in hospital. Officials said there had been no violent encounters since then and the government has won pledges from tribal chiefs for cooperation. |