Sanaa , Yemen ( CNN ) -- Land mine explosions have killed at least 73 people in Yemen 's Abyan province since al Qaeda fighters were defeated two weeks ago , the Yemeni Defense Ministry said . Among those killed were 23 soldiers . The ministry said that tens of thousands of land mines were planted before militants were driven out of their key strongholds , as an ambush to retaliate for their defeat . A senior Defense Ministry official told CNN that more than 200 experts are involved in the mine removal operation , but he would not give a deadline for when the province would be mine-free . `` Al Qaeda had more than a year to plan and plant the land mines , so it will take time . We are also in dire need of modern detecting devices , '' the official told CNN , speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to media . Top Yemen commander killed ; al Qaeda claims responsibility . Residents in Abyan told CNN that the injury toll from mines is far greater than those killed . They said that most mines were planted near government institutions , military compounds , checkpoints , and mountainous roads . `` With every person killed , four or five are injured . Hospitals in Abyan and neighboring Aden are full of land mine victims , '' Ali Hadi , a resident of Zinjibar , told CNN . `` Zinjibar is still empty though , al Qaeda is nowhere to be seen . People know their lives are still at risk but this time from land mines , '' he added . Col. Saeed Ali Mishal , head of the engineering unit tasked with clearing the mines , said the government managed to clear 3,119 land mines this week from the towns of Zinjibar , Jaar , and Shuqra . `` Explosions linked to land mines are heard three to four times daily in Zinjibar , '' said Mishal . He said that the mines are all locally made and those found have been destroyed . The increasing death toll complicates government efforts to relocate locals displaced by the war . UNHCR , the U.N. refugee agency , reported that 150,000 people fled Abyan and are stranded in low-capacity shelters . The displaced currently occupy dozens of schools in Aden and Lahj provinces . Mohammed al-Saadi , Yemen 's minister of international affairs , said one of the government 's main priorities is to rebuild Abyan , after the year-long war destroyed thousands of homes . Egyptian official : Al Qaeda affiliate adds to violence between Israel , Palestinians .
Yemen 's Defense Ministry says thousands of land mines were planted by al Qaeda militants . At least 50 people , including 23 soldiers , have been killed by the mines , the ministry says . Local ##s say many more people have been killed by mine explosions . Ministry : The militants planted the mines to retaliate for defeat by government forces .