Al-Qaeda Launches Widespread Attack in Southern Yemen
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Al-Ain News via Mehr News Agency, heavy attacks by Al-Qaeda militants targeted Abyan in southern Yemen. The assault struck the base of the First Support and logistics Brigade of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces in Al-Mahfad district, Abyan province. Four STC soldiers were killed during the attack.
Parts of this base and sections of the Al-Mahfad governorate building were destroyed. The operation involved two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), followed by clashes between infiltrating suicide attackers from al-Qaeda and personnel inside the base. Five Al-Qaeda militants were also killed during these armed confrontations.
Al-Mahfad is a district within Abyan currently under control of the STC. This assault marks one of the largest recent attacks by Yemen’s Al-Qaeda branch on STC positions and represents a notable escalation in their offensive tactics. Following Ansar Allah’s clearance operations against Al-Qaeda strongholds in al-Jawf, al-Bayda, and Marib provinces over recent years, most activity from Yemen’s AQ branch has focused on fighting against STC forces.
Previous attacks mostly involved bombings-such as planted explosives, occasional grenade launchings-as well as drone strikes or sniper assaults. Today’s operation was broader; it included suicide bombers who dealt a serious blow to STC ranks.
meanwhile, Brigadier General Nasr al-Yafaei, commander of the First Support and Logistics Brigade for the STC forces, stated that his troops repelled a widespread terrorist assault on the governorate building in al-Mahfad district. He confirmed that four brigade members died combating Al-Qaeda fighters but added that his forces regained control after eliminating all attackers.
