The Yemeni government troops killed more than 300 al-Qaida militants, including some leaders, in battles with the terrorist group in the southern province of Abyan over the past three months, the country's defense ministry said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the ministry said security authorities cracked 2,187 cases and arrested 2,889 suspects during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

The Yemeni government troops have been waging intensified battles and air strikes against al-Qaida militants in Abyan since May after the latter seized Abyan's capital city of Zinjibar along with other towns, including Jaar, Moudia and large parts of Dovis.