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Yemen sends troops to al-Qaida strongholds

SAN'A, Yemen - Security officials say Yemen has deployed several hundred extra troops to two mountainous eastern provinces that are al-Qaida's main strongholds in the country.

The officials say the reinforcements were sent Friday to Marib and Jouf provinces, where al-Qaida's presence is believed to be strongest and where the central government has little control.
The officials spoke Saturday on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to the media.
The United States has intensified security aid to Yemen in a bid to combat the growing presence of al-Qaida in the impoverished Arab nation. President Barack Obama said Saturday that al-Qaida's branch in Yemen was behind a failed attempt to blow up a U.S. airliner on Christmas Day.

• MENA