Al-Qaeda militants besieged in the southern Yemeni town of Hota are using residents as human shields in the second major clash between them and troops in recent weeks, an official said on Tuesday.

"Al-Qaeda elements are preventing residents from leaving Hota, to use them as human shields," a security official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

...While the situation for residents still in Hota is dangerous, those who fled also face a tough road.

"I am living with no shelter, like hundreds of other refugees, without any aid from authorities or charities," said Adnan Mohammed Ali, a refugee in Kharma, three kilometres (1.8 miles) from Hota.

"People need help, said Hussein bin Abdullah Bahanan, a tribal leader from Hota who was reached by telephone in Bureika, a village in the area where he is currently living.

In its preliminary report, the Red Crescent said the refugees are in need of food, blankets, and medical supplies.