ADEN, Yemen - Intensified Yemeni airstrikes bombed several al-Qaida hideouts in the southern province of Lahj, killing a total of 45 militants on Tuesday, a government official told Xinhua.

The air strikes which were carried out by Yemeni air forces hit several hideouts of the terrorists, killing as many as 45 al-Qaida militants in Lahj's suburbs close to the insurgents-controlled town of Jaar in neighbouring Abyan province, the local government official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

"The air raids on Tuesday are against al-Qaida hideouts in the mountainous area of Rahah in the suburbs of Lahj, where fierce battles took place between the government troops and militants during the past three days, leaving dozens of people killed," the official said.