ADEN, Yemen, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Two Islamist militants were killed in a southern Yemeni province on Thursday when explosives they were carrying on a motorcycle blew up accidentally, a security source said.

The two men were planning to attack an unknown target in the province of Abyan, where the blast took place, the source said without giving further details.

Earlier this month four Yemeni soldiers and a civilian were killed in clashes between suspected militants and government forces in Abyan.

The government has sought to clamp down on Islamist militants since the Sept. 11 attacks on U.S. cities in 2001.

Yemen has jailed scores of militants in connection with bombings of Western targets and clashes with authorities, but is still viewed in the West as a haven for militancy. (Reporting by Mohammed Mokhashef; writing by Inal Ersan)

AlertNet news is provided by