Five government soldiers were killed in war-ravaged Yemen on Sunday in an attack by unknown gunmen, local security sources said.
Four other soldiers were injured in the attack, which targeted a security checkpoint in the east-southern province of Shabwa, according to the sources, who spoke to DPA on condition of anonymity.
So far, there has been no claim of responsibility.
Shabwa is mostly under control of the Saudi-backed government.
Yemen has been locked in a devastating power struggle between internationally recognised President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi and Iran-allied Houthi rebels since late 2014.
The conflict has intensified since March 2015, when the rebels advanced on Hadi's southern power seat of Aden, prompting Saudi Arabia and fellow allies to start an air campaign
in Yemen against the group.
Al-Qaeda militants have expanded their influence in parts of the impoverished country, taking advantage of the strife.