Abyan province 's al Qaeda says 23 of land mines were planted by Defense Ministry militants . 23 people , including 23 soldiers , have been killed by the mines , the ministry says . Local residents say many more people have been injured by mine explosions . Ministry : The increasing death toll complicates government efforts to relocate locals displaced by the war . The militants planted the mines to retaliate for defeat by government forces .
Abyan province 's al Qaeda says 23 of land mines were planted by Defense Ministry militants . 23 people , including 23 soldiers , have been killed by the mines , the ministry says . Local residents say many more people have been injured by mine explosions . Ministry : The militants planted the mines to retaliate for defeat by government forces .