A major stronghold for al-Qaeda terrorists in the southern Abyan province has been captured by Yemen’s separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), according to a statement on Sunday.
Southern forces brought under control al-Qaeda stronghold in Mudiyah district, east of the provincial capital Zinjibar, STC spokesperson Mohammad al-Naqeeb said.
The camp was used by al-Qaeda terrorists to launch attacks in Zinjibar city, he stated, adding that two STC soldiers, including a senior commander, were killed during the attack to seize the camp.
At least 22 soldiers from the STC-affiliated Security Belt Forces were killed in an attack by al-Qaeda terrorists in Abyan on September 6. Following the attack, STC forces launched a military operation to cleanse Abyan from terrorist organizations.
Usually attributed to al-Qaeda, which is active in the mountainous areas on the outskirts of Ahwar and Al-Mahfad districts, east of Zinjibar city, military headquarters in Abyan come under frequent attacks.
The Yemeni army and forces of the allied Southern Transitional Council share control of Abyan province.
