Al-Qaeda kills 4 troops in new clash

Suspected members of al-Qaeda targeted a military patrol in Zinjobar district, Abyan province, early Wednesday afternoon, killing 4 soldiers, a security source in Zinjobar told Yemen Observer.
 
The source said gunmen riding motorcycles targeted the military patrol in a public market in Zinjobar district, the province capital.
 
An Abyan Security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said intensive clashes between al-Qaeda members and security forces erupted at 3pm Wednesday.
 
“There were no casualties, however. At every clash, al-Qaeda managed to take their injured and dead members away,”
 
 the source said, adding, the situation in Lawdar district later on Wednesday was relatively calm.

The number of al-Qaeda militants in Lawder, according to the same source, is estimated to range from 70-100.

Lawdar locals said Tuesday a group of alleged al-Qaeda members abducted 9 soldiers, who were reinforcements coming from Mokairas district to Lawdar , and killed them. Officials in Lawdar, however, declined the news.

Government troops have launched raids in Lawdar district against alleged al-Qaeda hideouts since last Friday after a clash between local gunmen believed to be from al-Qaeda and troops left 13 dead, including 11 soldiers.
 
An AFP tally based on official and medical sources put the total death toll Tuesday at 33 people, including 19 militants, 11 soldiers, and three civilians. Based on the new clashes, the number of the troops killed is 15.
 
Security officials said that Adel Saleh Hardaba, 27, the al-Qaeda second-in-command in Lawdar, was among the dead.

Related Content

•   Saleh back to Yemen soon to observe elections, media advisor concerns over opposition stance
•  Leader, Yemen opposition involved in March 18 shooting incident
•  Yemen conducts non-competitive but necessary and historic elections
•   Leader of al-Qaeda in Yemen kisses and bids final farewell to slain mid-level leader
•   Yemen’s JMP leader attacks Islamist Party overall conduct
•   Seven al-Qaeda fighters killed in South Yemen
•  Yemenis determined on elections as the only way for power transfer
•   US drone and missile attacks killed 10 al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen, top leader survived
•   Yemen determines on elections as the only way for power transfer
•   Yemen President clears airs with his own tribe before flying to US for treatment