Al-Qaeda Launched Surprise Attack on Yemen Army

Al-Qaeda in Zinjibar

Al-Qaeda militants launched a surprise attack against military bases in south Yemen, leaving 107 dead soldiers and stealing heavy weapons they used to kill more troops.

Last Sunday, military officials informed that at least 32 al-Qaeda militants were killed in Abyan province. Scores were wounded on both sides. The attacks appear to be a response to a pledge by Yemen’s new president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to fight the terror network.

This Monday, Hadi repeated that pledge during talks with a visiting British diplomat. “The confrontation will continue until we are rid of the last terrorist, whether in Abyan or elsewhere,” said the new president of Yemen.

The 55 captured soldiers by al-Qaeda militants were paraded through the streets of Jaar, a town near the provincial capital of Zinjibar. Al-Qaeda had previously captured the city a month ago by taking advantage of the Ali Abdullah Saleh transition process. (AV)