As many as 200 al-Qaeda-linked militants took control of a provincial capital in southern Yemen on Wednesday. The gunmen launched a surprise attack on the town of Houta, then took control of several neighborhoods in the area for nearly 12 hours. Militants also reportedly attacked neighborhoods in the southern port city of Aden, opening fire on forces in the area. Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since February, with massive protests calling for an end to President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 33 years in power. Saleh is currently in Saudi Arabia receiving treatment for wounds he sustained in a rocket attack on his compound.