World Briefs: Airstrike kills 15 militants in Yemen

YEMEN

SANAA — An airstrike Wednesday killed 15 al Qaeda-linked militants in their training camp in the country’s south, Yemeni military officials said. The airstrike resembled earlier U.S. drone attacks, but the U.S. did not comment.

The officials said the air attack targeted the militants’ camp north of the town of Jaar in the southern province of Abyan.

It coincided with a Yemeni government offensive against the militants.

On Monday, 17 al Qaeda militants were killed in a two-pronged attack by military units and civilians who took up arms against al Qaeda south of the town of Lawder.

Two civilians and a military officer also were killed in the fighting.

UNITED NATIONS

Security Council approves sanctions on Sudan, South Sudan

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution threatening nonmilitary sanctions against Sudan and South Sudan if they fail to halt escalating violence on their border and do not return to negotiations.

China, which is a major oil buyer from both countries, and Russia traditionally oppose sanctions but voted in favor of the U.S.-drafted measure.

The resolution endorses an African Union road map aimed at getting the two countries to step back from the brink of war and resolve their differences.

It condemns repeated cross-border violence between Sudan and South Sudan, including troop movements, the South’s seizure of the oil-rich town of Heglig and Sudan’s aerial bombings in the South.

JORDAN

King swears in new reform Cabinet

AMMAN — King Abdullah II swore in a new Cabinet on Wednesday assigned to enacting laws necessary for political reforms and holding elections, reflecting his impatience over the pace of change.

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