Saturday, September 10, 2011

Yemen army announces victory on al-Qaeda militants



By Mohammed al-Kibsi

Yemen army has announced victory on al-Qaeda insurgents in Abyan province on Saturday.
Vice President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi sent a cable of congratulations to the Defense Minister and the commanders of the southern military zone on the decisive victories against al-Qaeda militants in Zinjubar city of Abyan province, they have held for nearly four months.
Yemeni forces of the Southern region drove al-Qaeda militants out of Zinjubar town they have held for nearly four months, a military official said.

The commander of the Southern region General Ali Mohammed Maqwalah said Saturday that the forces of the southern region  retaken all of Zinjubar, the capital of Abyan province. He also said that president Ali Abdullah Saleh has followed up the military operations in Abyan from Riyadh daily.
President Ali Abdullah Saleh said on Saturday that the army and security forces managed to free the 25th brigade forces in Abyan province after more than three months of blockade by al-Qaeda militants backed by coup elements.

In his cable of congratulations on this victory to the Minister of Defense and military and security commanders, President Saleh said that the army and security forces have achieved a great victory against those terrorist elements that wanted to convert Abyan province into an den of terrorism and extremism.

He praised the efforts and direct supervision by Vice President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi and cooperation of citizens in the provinces of Abyan, Aden and Lahj to achieve this national success.

Saleh also said that the 25th brigade forces had foiled the plots of terrorists, coup elements and conspirators and caused them exorbitant losses.

The President praised also the logistical support provided by Saudi Arabia, saying the Saudi support contributed to the alleviation of the blockade on the 25th brigade.
Saleh also thanked the United States for cooperating with Yemen and for providing information, adding this comes within the framework of the two countries’ joint efforts to combat terrorism.


The Defense Ministry said the United States has used drones and warplanes in attacks on the two towns. He said they also helped Yemen with reconnaissance flights over areas of Abyan province and provided information on fighters and their movements.
Meanwhile Saba news agency said that the American envoy to Yemen congratulated Vice President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi over the victory of the armed forces against al-Qaeda elements in Abyan province.

During his meeting with US ambassador to Yemen Gerald Feierstein, Hadi talked over the victory of the security forces who managed to free the 25th brigade forces in Abyan after more than three months of blockade by al-Qaeda militants backed by coup elements.

The two officials also made reference to the ongoing developments in the local arena as well as negotiations and meetings carried out during the previous period at all various sides; local, regional and international ones.

The American envoy wished for Yemen to overcome the current crisis peacefully, affirming the importance of maintaining Yemen's security and stability.

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