ADEN, Yemen — Yemeni security officials say clashes in the capital have left five suspected militants and one member of the special forces dead, as security forces launch an operation to find the perpetrators of the attack on the country's Defense Ministry that killed 52 people including at least seven foreigners.

The officials said Friday the gunbattles happened over the past 24 hours as security forces raided several homes in the ministry's vicinity. During the Thursday attack, which also involved a suicide car bomb, the ministry came under heavy gunfire from nearby houses.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to brief reporters.

Early Friday morning, the Yemeni branch of al-Qaida claimed responsibility for the attack.