Two of the Friday attacks involved vehicle bombs in Shabwa Province. Two cars were driven to the camp by suspected members of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a local security source said.

The deadliest attack at an army camp killed 38 soldiers responsible for security at oil fields in the region, the sources added.

A concealed bomb in one car exploded among a group of soldiers at the gate as the driver sought to enter the camp. The other was already inside the camp when it exploded, he added.

Shabwa Province, a lawless and rugged part of Yemen, has been the scene of much fighting in recent years between militants and the security forces.

AQAP is seen by Western countries as one of the most dangerous branches of al-Qaeda because it has attempted to carry out bombings on international airlines.

The group and allied local militants took advantage of political chaos in Yemen during the Arab Spring in 2011 to seize control of some towns and surrounding areas in the south of the country.

They were beaten back by Yemeni forces last year but have continued to stage attacks against government and military targets.

NTJ/BA