Yemen airstrikes kill nine

Officials in Yemen say airstrikes have killed six militants and three civilians in southern towns seized by Islamist fighters.

Military officials say the attacks seek to oust militants from Jaar and Zinjibar.

The militant takeovers are part of widening chaos in Yemen since protests broke out in February calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Medical officials say today's strikes killed six militants in Jaar.

A politician, Salem Mansour, says an airstrike in Zinjibar killed three civilians. He says another strike hit the home of the deputy parliament speaker, who has joined the opposition. The house was empty.