Al-Qaeda claims responsibility for killing 8 Yemeni soldiers

Eight Yemeni soldiers and a civilian were killed on Saturday in an attack by suspected al Qaeda militants on an army post in the southern province of Abyan, a security official said.

The attack on the checkpoint occurred in Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan province. Seven of the soldiers were killed on the spot while the eighth was wounded and later died of his injuries at a hospital in the town of Ja’ar. There is currently a haven for extremists located five kilometers from Zinjibar, the official added.

 Al Qaeda’s wing previously focused on high-profile strikes against foreign targets but has started to target the state in response to enhanced U.S.-Yemeni cooperation in a crackdown against the group that has included air strikes and raids.

In Sana’a, authorities arrested three al Qaeda members who were preparing attacks in the capital, an official said.

Security measures were stepped up at key installations during a crackdown on militants, the Interior Ministry said.

Yemen surged to the forefront of Western security concerns when AQAP claimed responsibility for the failed bombing of a U.S.-bound plane in December.

Yemen is also struggling with rebels in the north and is under international pressure to quell domestic conflicts and focus on the al Qaeda.

Western powers and neighboring top oil exporter Saudi Arabia fear al Qaeda is exploiting instability in Yemen, using it as a launch-pad for attacks regionally and abroad.

Related Content

•   Yemen PM: Effective turn out in election will give change more legitimacy
•   Russian President’s envoy to visit Yemen soon
•   Children prosecute Yemen crisis in a film screened on al-Aqeeq TV
•  Yemen VP launches presidential election campaign amid different factions’ rallies of anti election
•   Confrontations break out between Sothern militants and Yemen forces, two killed
•  Innovative technology enables grass-roots election monitoring in Yemen
•   Yemen VP launches early presidential election campaign officially
•   Yemen VP, US diplomat review political settlement progress
•   Tens killed in confrontations between Houthis and Salafies in North Yemen
•   Yemen PM receives Cuban diplomat