Yemen: Fierce fightings in Zinjibar. Three army brigades storm al-Qaeda positions

Arab and Western sources report new clashes near the town of Zinjibar, the capital of the Abyan province, last night. The units of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) attacked another military convoy of the troops of Saleh who had earlier fled to Saudi Arabia, killing at least 15 soldiers. According to other data, 9 Saleh's soldiers were killed and not less than 10 others injured.

Some Western sources report that the al-Qaeda Mujahideen lost 6 fighters martyred and 4 others wounded. An unnamed medical officer was cited as reporting that the martyred and wounded Mujahideen were taken to the hospital Al-Razi near Zinjibar.

It also reported that an unknown number of soldiers were killed in constant fightings near the capital of the province of Abyan.

Western media quoting local sources reported that the fightings broke out during attempts of Saleh's forces to storm Zinjibar, using armored vehicles and heavy arms. It is also alleged that the Mujahideen have heavy mortars.

The Saleh's troops stormed Zinjibar with three brigades, sent from Aden and Lahj. Army units of the Saleh' s 25th mechanized brigade, which is stationed at a base in the Zinjibar district, are also involved in the fightings.

Last Saturday, the Mujahideen ambushed the enemy troops moving from Aden, and killed 9 Saleh's soldiers.

It is to be recalled that the units AQAP took control over the provincial capital of Abyan, Zinjibar late May. After that, the Mujahideen of al-Qaeda carried out a series of military operations and captured several villages and a large town of Azzan in the province of Shabwa.

Meanwhile, fightings are taking place in the town of Taiz. Sources say that thousands of troops withdrew from the city after killing 200 participants of peaceful protests demanding the resignation of Saleh.

Department of Monitoring

Kavkaz Center