5 al-Qaida members killed in U.S. drone strike in Yemen's south

ADEN, Yemen, May 18 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. drone strike killed at least five members of the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot in the southern province of Abyan on Saturday, a government official told Xinhua.

"About five terrorists were killed when a drone strike targeted an al-Qaida convoy that was passing through a desert road in the town of Jaar in Abyan province," the government source said on condition of anonymity.

Local residents near the scene confirmed to Xinhua, saying that "vehicles of the al-Qaida terrorist group were struck by three rockets. Several people were either killed or injured in the bombing."

Dozens of al-Qaida members have been killed in such airstrikes since Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012, after a year-long unrest weakened the control of the central government and allowed the militants to take over swaths of territory in the south.

The Yemeni government managed to recapture several of southern cities in May 2012.

But on Jan. 23, a U.S. drone strike targeting armed militants mistakenly hit a house of civilians in Yemen's southeastern province of al-Bayda, killing two children, according to Yemeni officials.

from XINHUA
2013-05-19 03:50:10

Related articles

• 'US drone' kills four in strike on al-Qaida target in Yemen (guardian.co.uk)
• Al Qaeda Militants Killed In Drone Strike In Yemen (huffingtonpost.com)

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Al-Qaida suspects kidnap military intelligence officer in southern Yemen

ADEN, Yemen, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Suspected al-Qaida militants abducted a military intelligence officer from his residential building in Yemen's southern province of Abyan on Sunday, a government official told Xinhua.
Four gunmen suspected of belonging to the al-Qaida terrorist group kidnapped Brig. Khaled Masood from his house located in the eastern suburbs of Mudiyah town in Abyan province, the local government official said on condition of anonymity.

"The al-Qaida suspects who were armed with assault rifles raided the officer's house and took him to unknown location," the government source said.

The source said that the military officer was kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination. Security authorities were working to track the kidnappers.

No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping so far.

Several security and intelligence officials were assassinated or kidnapped in recent months in southern regions, where the al- Qaida militants are active.

Combating al-Qaida militants in the restive south is one of the challenges confronting Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has promised to uproot the Yemeni branch of al-Qaida with the help of the United States and neighboring Saudi Arabia.

from XINHUA
2013-03-24 19:59:19

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Al-Qaida militants ambush pro-gov't militia in southern Yemen, 3 killed

ADEN, Yemen, March 22 (Xinhua) -- About three members of pro- government militia were killed Friday in an ambush by al-Qaida militants in Yemen's southern province of Abyan, a security official told Xinhua.

The al-Qaida militants set up a well-planned ambush for a convoy of the pro-government militiamen in Maraksha area in Abyan province, killing at least three people, the local security official said on condition of anonymity.

"A four-car convoy of the pro-government militiamen was ambushed by a group of terrorists while heading toward the mountainous area of Maraksha," the security source said.

A local tribal chief told Xinhua anonymously that "armed confrontations broke out with al-Qaida militants after the attack. Several al-Qaida fighters were either killed or injured in the ongoing fighting."

The al-Qaida terrorist group, which has been waging an insurgency for more than two years, has yet to make comments.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, locally known as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in the southern Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds which they had controlled for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government, along with the United states and oil- rich Saudi Arabia, has beefed up anti-terror operation since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

from XINHUA
2013-03-22 17:28:20

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Five killed in Yemen clash between Al-Qaeda fighters, militia

ADEN, Yemen: At least five people were killed in Yemen when a pro-government militia attacked Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist militants on Thursday, residents and militia sources said.

U.S.-allied Yemen has been grappling with an Islamist insurgency since popular protests forced President Ali Abdulah Saleh to step down in November 2011.

The United States considers Yemen an important ally against Al-Qaeda which it fears could use the country to plot attacks against its interests, and has regularly used drones to hit suspected militants there.

The sources said several people were wounded on Thursday in the fighting which broke out in the village of al-Qafr in the southern province of Abyan.

The two groups have regularly attacked each other since the pro-government Popular Committees were set up as a volunteer force against militants who exploited the 2011 political turmoil to seize territory and impose Islamic Sharia.

A U.S.-backed offensive by the Yemeni military last May recaptured ground from the militants and drove them out of towns they had seized the year before.

In the latest incident, dozens of pro-government Popular Committee members attacked Ansar al-Sharia fighters to avenge the killing of one of their colleagues the day before, militia sources said.

Three of those killed were members of Ansar al-Sahria and the other two were militia fighters, the sources said.

Yemen, situated next to the world's top oil exporter Saudi Arabia, is also fighting a separatist movement in the south and faces a potential challenge from Shiite Muslim rebels, known as Houthis, in the north.


Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Mar-21/211033-five-killed-in-yemen-clash-between-al-qaeda-fighters-militia.ashx#ixzz2OCW4PZTF
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)
March 21, 2013 03:58 PM (Last updated: March 21, 2013 05:57 PM)

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10 al-Qaida members captured in southern Yemen

Map of Yemen showing Abyan governorate. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ADEN, Yemen, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's pro-government militiamen raided a terrorist cell and captured 10 al-Qaida members on Sunday in Yemen's southern province of Abyan, a tribal chief told Xinhua.

The militiamen destroyed an al-Qaida terrorist cell that was operating in Abyan's Jaar town and planning armed attacks against army posts in the region, the local tribal chief said on condition of anonymity.

"Our tribal fighters stormed an al-Qaida-held site in Jaar town and seized 10 terrorists along with three improvised explosive devices," the tribal source said.

Two of the al-Qaida members were behind an armed attack that targeted a post run by pro-government militiamen last week, according to the tribal chief.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds they had controlled for nearly one year.

The Yemeni government has beefed up anti-terror operation since Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

from XINHUA
2013-03-11 06:41:52

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10 al-Qaida members captured in southern Yemen

ADEN, Yemen, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's pro-government militiamen raided a terrorist cell and captured 10 al-Qaida members on Sunday in Yemen's southern province of Abyan, a tribal chief told Xinhua.

The militiamen destroyed an al-Qaida terrorist cell that was operating in Abyan's Jaar town and planning armed attacks against army posts in the region, the local tribal chief said on condition of anonymity.

"Our tribal fighters stormed an al-Qaida-held site in Jaar town and seized 10 terrorists along with three improvised explosive devices," the tribal source said.

Two of the al-Qaida members were behind an armed attack that targeted a post run by pro-government militiamen last week, according to the tribal chief.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds they had controlled for nearly one year.

The Yemeni government has beefed up anti-terror operation since Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

from XINHUA2013-03-11 06:41:52

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3 al-Qaida members escape from prison in southern Yemen

Map of Yemen showing Abyan governorate. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ADEN, Yemen, March 6 (Xinhua) -- At least three members of the Yemen-based al-Qaida branch escaped from an intelligence jail in the southern province of Abyan on Wednesday evening, a security official told Xinhua.

Three al-Qaida inmates escaped from the military intelligence jail in Mudiyah town in Abyan province, after a short shootout with guards at the prison, the local security official said on condition of anonymity.

"An armed squad of terrorists attacked security guards at the main gate of Mudiyah prison, sparking a short shootout in the area, " the security source said, adding that the three al-Qaida inmates staged the getaway amid the clashes.

A local intelligence source confirmed Wednesday's prison escape but declined to give more details.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds that they had been control of for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government has beefed up anti-terror operation since Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

from XINHUA
2013-03-07 02:06:50

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Three al-Qaida members captured over suicide bombing in southern Yemen

ADEN, Yemen, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Pro-government militiamen captured Tuesday three members of the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot in southern Abyan province who were linked to a suicide bombing that killed 12 people, a tribal chief told Xinhua.

About three terrorists suspected of masterminding a suicide bombing that killed 12 pro-government militiamen in Abyan's town of Lauder were captured inside an al-Qaida-held house, the local tribal chief said on condition of anonymity.

"The captured men were accused of planning attacks against pro- government militiamen. Explosives along with grenades, automatic rifles and pistols were seized inside the house," the tribal source added.

On Monday, an al-Qaida suicide attacker slammed his explosives- packed vehicle into a post run by pro-government militiamen in Lauder town, killing 12 people and wounding 16 others.

The al-Qaida militants frequently use improvised explosive devices, roadside bombs and carry out suicide attacks against the security forces, pro-government militiamen and intelligence officials in southern regions.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds that they had controlled for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government has beefed up anti-terror operation since Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

from XINHUA
2013-03-06 01:14:42

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Suicide car-bomb kills 12 in Yemen

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

ADEN, Yemen, March 4 (Xinhua) -- An explosive-laden car went off near a post run by pro-government militiamen in Yemen's southern province of Abyan on Monday evening, killing 12 people and wounding 16 others, a security official told Xinhua.

An al-Qaida suicide attacker slammed his explosives-packed vehicle into a post run by pro-government militiamen in Luader town in Abyan province, leaving at least 12 people killed and more than 16 others injured, the local security official said on condition of anonymity.

"Among the dead so far identified are two leaders of the anti- al-Qaida militiamen. Several people were also seriously injured in the car bombing," the security source said.

"The booby-trapped car approached the post used by the pro- government militiamen and exploded, causing a massive blast in the region," he added.

Local residents, meanwhile, said the blast took place near a military checkpoint manned by the pro-government militiamen and was followed by heavy gunfire.

A tribal chief said that about 12 members of the anti-al-Qaida militiamen were killed and 16 others injured in the bombing.

The car bomb attack was perpetrated by a suicide attacker of the al-Qaida terrorist group, according to local officials.

The al-Qaida militants use improvised explosive devices, roadside bombs and suicide attacks against the security forces, pro-government militiamen and intelligence officials in southern regions.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds that they had controlled for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government along with the United States and oil-rich Saudi Arabia have beefed up anti-terror operation since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

from XINHUA
013-03-05 00:16:39

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• Suicide car bomber hits Yemen militia, kills 12 (thestate.com)

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Bomb attack injures three pro-government militiamen in southern Yemen

map byEvan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

ADEN, Yemen, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least three pro-government militiamen were wounded in a bomb explosion in Yemen's southern province of Abyan on Tuesday night, a security official told Xinhua Wednesday.
The bomb went off outside the pro-government militiamen headquarters in Jaar town in Abyan province, injuring at least three people at the scene, the local security official said on condition of anonymity.

"A huge blast took place near a building held by pro-government militiamen in Abyan. The building was partially damaged. However, it caused no loss of life and only three people were injured," the security source said.

Witnesses told Xinhua that the two-floor building in Jaar town "was hit by an explosive that seemed large" and "small damage" was caused.

The bomb attack was perpetrated by attackers of the al-Qaida terrorist group, according to local officials.

The al-Qaida militants frequently use improvised explosive devices, including roadside bombs, against the security forces, pro-government militiamen and intelligence officials in southern regions.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in the southern Abyan province months routed the militants out of the strongholds that they had controlled for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government along with the United states and oil-rich Saudi Arabia has beefed up anti-terror operation since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

from XINHUA
2013-02-13 16:09:59

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Yemeni chief killed in Al Qaeda revenge attack

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

A prominent tribal chief was killed in an ambush, an apparent revenge attack by Al Qaeda for his security links, Yemeni security officials said. 
The officials said suspected Al Qaeda militants fatally shot Ali Abdul-Salam Thursday and wounded two of his guards as they rode in his vehicle in the southern province of Abyan.

Security and tribal officials said Abul-Salam, an elected local council member in Shabwa province, was accused by militants of providing information to security agencies and foreign intelligence that led to the targeting of Al Qaeda members.

The officials were speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to reporters.

The Yemeni government has been going after Al Qaeda militants who have established strongholds in Yemen’s south.

from ARYNEWS
Friday  January  11 , 2013  11:47:27 AM

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AQAP launches complex suicide assault on Yemeni Army base

By Bill Roggio - October 19, 2012 - LWJ

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula mounted a complex attack, which included suicide bombers and an assault from the sea, against a Yemeni Army base in Shaqra in the south of the country today.

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

AQAP launched the first wave of the attack on the headquarters of the 115th Infantry Brigade at dawn. At least four AQAP fighters dressed in military uniforms, armed with assault rifles and suicide vests, drove a pickup truck bearing military license plates through several checkpoints. Three of the fighters then dismounted the truck and opened fire on Yemeni troops, while the driver of the truck drove into a group of soldiers and detonated the explosives-packed vehicle. Another group of AQAP fighters then launched an assault on the base from the sea but was beaten back by Yemeni troops.

Fourteen Yemeni soldiers, including the brigade's operations officer and two staff colonels, were killed during the fighting and in the blasts;12 AQAP fighters were also killed during the assault.

From May 2011 until May of this year, when the Yemeni military, backed by US air and intelligence assets, began retaking control of the south, AQAP controlled Shaqra and many other cities and towns in Abyan and Shabwa provinces. AQAP and the Yemeni military fought pitched battles in these provinces before AQAP withdrew its forces and regrouped in areas such as Jaar and Al Mahfad.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/10/aqap_launches_comple.php#ixzz29peituL9

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Suicide bombing hits Yemen's Aden, 4 injured

ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were injured Saturday evening when a suicide bomber targeted a convoy of anti-al-Qaida militia leader in Yemen's southern port city of Aden, a police officer told Xinhua.

The suicide bomber on a motorcycle struck a convoy of an anti- al-Qaida militia leader in the Khor Maksar neighborhood in Aden, leaving at least four people injured following the insurgent attack, the local police officer spoke on condition of anonymity.

"The suicide bombing that occurred around 7:30 pm (0430 GMT) when a convoy of Abdul-Latif al-Saeed, a prominent leader of anti- al-Qaida militiamen in southern regions, was passing through a main road in Aden's neighborhood of Khor Maksar," the police officer said.

Witnesses told Xinhua anonymously that "the bomber's head has been retrieved from the scene and indicated that the attacker was in his late teens."

"It was a suicide attack... A bomber came on an explosives- laden motorbike and blew himself up in the middle of tribesmen as they were about to start moving on their cars," the witness added.

Earlier this month, unknown gunmen carried out an armed attack targeting the convoy of al-Saeed in southern Abyan province, killing two of his bodyguards.

Saturday's attack was the fifth assassination attempt on al- Saeed.

Yemeni security authorities usually accuse militants of the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot of being behind armed attacks against military officials and army bases.

Attacks and raids have continued since the country's political turmoil last year, when scores of al-Qaida militants took control of certain areas in the restive south but were later purged in army offensive.

On June 20, Yemen's military officials announced seizing al- Qaida's last bastion in the country's troubled south following the army offensive. However, local military and anti-terrorism experts said that the Yemen-based al-Qaida branch is still a major threat to the impoverished Arab country.

from XINHUA
2012-09-23 00:34:50

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Yemeni air strikes kill two al-Qaida militants in south

map by Evan Centanni(www.polgeonow.com)

ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Two Yemeni airstrikes hit a gathering of al-Qaida militants in the troubled southern province of Abyan on Thursday, killing two insurgents, a security official told Xinhua.

Fighter jets of the Yemeni air forces pounded a gathering of the al-Qaida militants on the eastern outskirts of Mahfad town in Abyan, leaving at least two insurgents killed and three others injured, the local security official spoke on condition of anonymity.

Militant sources confirmed to Xinhua the death of two al-Qaida insurgents believed to be behind a series of deadly attacks in Abyan.

"The air bombing is going to have a very significant impact on the activities of al-Qaida militants... Their movement in Abyan is going to be disrupted during the coming days," the security official said.

"The military is doing enough to eliminate terrorists living in the mountainous areas of Abyan," he added.

Yemeni security authorities usually accuse militants of the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot of being behind armed attacks against military officials and army bases.

Attacks and raids have continued since the country's political turmoil last year, when scores of al-Qaida militants took control of certain areas in the restive south but were later pushed out by a U.S.-backed offensive.

The United States has used its drones to support the Yemeni military campaign that aimed to crush al-Qaida operations in the impoverished Arab country.

from XINHUA
2012-09-21 00:57:21

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Yemeni fighter jets bomb al-Qaida-held bases in restive south

ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni fighter jets launched two air strikes and bombed several hideouts of al-Qaida militants in the turbulent southern province of Abyan on Thursday night, an army officer told Xinhua without any reports of casualties.

Two military fighters jets screamed through the sky over the Mahfad town in Abyan, dropping bombs and rockets that shelled several hideouts of the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot, the local army officer said on condition of anonymity.

"Initial reports that we are getting from military intelligence agents in the bombing area show that several arms caches and hideouts of al-Qaida were completely shelled," the army officer said.

No casualties have been reported so far in Thursday's air bombing, according to the army officer.

Media sources and members of the al-Qaida group could not be reached for comment.

A local resident told Xinhua anonymously that unknown warplanes dropped bombs on al-Qaida-held locations in the Mahfad town, causing a powerful blast that rocked the ground and sent up a huge gray cloud of smoke in the sky.

Meanwhile, two security personnel were injured due to a remote- controlled blast targeting a military patrol in neighboring southern province of Lahj, a security official said.

A string of high-level assassinations and suicide bombings struck Yemen's southern regions over the past two months, showing that al-Qaida militants have retained the capacity to attack despite that Yemen's military operations claimed victory in routing them out of their strongholds in the south.

On June 20, Yemen's military officials announced the seizing of al-Qaida's last bastion in the country's troubled south following the army's offensive backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia.

However, local military and anti-terrorism experts said that the Yemen-based al-Qaida branch is still a major threat to the impoverished Arab country despite being driven out from its main southern bastions by U.S.-backed military assault.

from XINHUA
2012-09-14 03:47:24

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2 al-Qaida militants killed, 3 arrested in Yemen's south

ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Two suspected al-Qaida militants were killed and three others arrested in a shootout with government forces in Yemen's southern province of Abyan early Wednesday, a military official said.

The shootout occurred after soldiers of the anti-terrorism squad launched a storming campaign against a hideout of the al- Qaida group in Jaar town, in southern Abyan province, the local military official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

A group of al-Qaida militants hiding in a residential compound opened fired at the anti-terrorism soldiers, sparking an exchange of fire that lasted for about 13 minutes, the official said.

The government soldiers tried to capture the five al-Qaida suspects without any casualties, but shot them when they resisted arrest, killing two and capturing three others, he added.

During Wednesday's raid, the soldiers found three computers and documents showing that the suspects were involved in two terrorist attacks recently against security forces in Abyan province, according to the military official.

Elsewhere in southern Yemen, gunmen fired at a police post in the port city of Aden, injuring two soldiers. A few hours later, unknown attackers threw a hand grenade at another post, but no casualties were reported.

The al-Qaida militants, known locally as Ansar al-Sharia ( Partisans of Islamic Law), were recently either captured or wanted by the security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in the southern Abyan province three months ago, which routed the militants out of their strongholds that they had controlled for nearly a year.

Combating al-Qaida network in the impoverished Arab country remains one of the biggest challenges confronting Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has promised to reform the army, restore security and uproot the resurgent Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.


from XINHUA
2012-09-05 16:57:02

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Yemen arrests 3 al-Qaida suspects, including Syrian national

SANAA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's police forces arrested three al-Qaida suspects, including a Syrian national, at an airport in the country's western port city of al-Hodayda late on Wednesday, a security official said.

The three men were arrested upon their arrival at the airport of the Red Sea city of al-Hodayda, the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity, adding that they were flying from the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.

The arrest took place after the police received an intelligence tip-off, the official said, noting that security measures have been tightened around the country's airports.

Backed by the United States, the Yemeni transitional government has been strengthening its anti-terror campaign since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February after a year of political upheaval where al-Qaida branch captured several cities in the lawless parts of the country.

The militants were recently either captured or hunted by the security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive in June, which routed the militants out of their strongholds in the southern province of Abyan.

Combating al-Qaida network is one of the challenges confronting Hadi, who has promised to reform the army, restore security and uproot the resurgent branch of al-Qaida, locally known as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law).

from XINHUA
2012-08-30 07:25:22

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5 al-Qaida members killed in U.S. drone strike in southeast Yemen

ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least five members of the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot were killed in a U.S. drone strike in Yemen's southeastern province of Hadramout Wednesday night, a government official told Xinhua.

Three U.S. drone-fired missiles struck an al-Qaida vehicle in the Qatan area in Hadramout, leaving at least five terrorists dead at the scene, the local government official said on condition of anonymity.

"An al-Qaida car carrying wanted terrorists was completely destroyed in the aerial attack, killing all passengers," the official said.

A huge explosion rocked the Qatan area during the air bombing, a local resident told Xinhua anonymously, adding that military aircraft are still hovering over several al-Qaida-held sites in Hadramout's suburbs.

The United States has beefed up anti-terror cooperation with the Yemeni government since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February, after a year of political upheaval that allowed al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula to capture several cities in the south.

The al-Qaida militants were recently either captured or hunted by the security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive in the southern Abyan province three months ago, routing the militants out of their strongholds that they had controlled for nearly a year.

Combating al-Qaida network in the restive south is one of the challenges confronting Hadi, who has promised to reform the army, restore security and uproot the resurgent branch of al-Qaida, locally known as Ansar al-Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law).


from XINHUA
2012-08-30 06:32:21

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U.S. drone strike kills 3 al-Qaida members in eastern Yemen

SANAA, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed when a U.S. unmanned warplane targeted a car carrying al-Qaida suspects in Yemen's eastern province of Marib on Tuesday, a provincial security official said.

"An American drone fired a missile on a vehicle carrying al- Qaida members near Alabr region in the eastern part of Marib province on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least three people," the official told Xinhua by phone, asking not to be named.

"One of the killed was a wanted Saudi national who joined al- Qaida group in Yemen one year ago," said the official.

"The U.S. air raid was coordinated with the Yemeni intelligence agency," he added without elaborating further.

Marib, some 170 km east of the capital Sanaa, is the home to one of Yemen's major oil fields.

The United States has beefed up anti-terror cooperation with the Yemeni government since Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February, after a year of political upheaval that allowed al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula to capture several cities in the eastern and southern parts of the country.

The militants were recently either captured or hunted by the security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive in June routed the militants out of their strongholds in the southern province of Abyan.

Combating al-Qaida network is one of the challenges confronting Hadi, who has promised to reform the army, restore security and uproot the resurgent branch of al-Qaida, locally known as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law).

from XINHUA

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2 senior al-Qaida operatives arrested by Yemeni police forces

ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni police forces arrested two senior al-Qaida operatives in the southern port city of Aden on Sunday, who sought to attack government targets in the province, the Defense Ministry said.

A special police action force and agents of the military intelligence agency raided a terrorist hideout in the Tawahi neighborhood in Aden, arresting two senior al-Qaida operatives, the country's Defense Ministry said in a brief text message obtained by Xinhua.

During the preliminary interrogation of the arrested terrorists, they revealed the location of other al-Qaida members in the same neighborhood, the statement said, adding that the arrested terrorists' IDs showed that they are not locals of Aden province; rather they came from southern neighboring province of Abyan.

A local resident told Xinhua anonymously that gunfire and hand grenade explosions could be heard following the storming campaign of the al-Qaida hideout in the Tawahi neighborhood.

Weapons confiscated from the raided house include automatic rifles, handguns, a sniper rifle and grenades, a security official said.

On Friday, a government official said that about seven suspected members of the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot were captured by security authorities in Aden's neighborhood of Cerator.

Yemeni authorities have stepped up security measures in the strategic port city of Aden, following intelligence reports that al-Qaida could attempt to target government compounds with armed attacks and suicide bombings.

The Yemeni branch of al-Qaida, known locally as Ansar al-Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), claimed responsibility for several gun raids and deadly suicide attacks that took place during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

from XINHUA
2012-08-26 16:05:39

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