Yemeni military, Al-Qaeda clash leaves 'at least 18 militants' dead
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 20 April 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Yemeni military, Al-Qaeda clash leaves 'at least 18 militants' dead, 20 April 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4f9e7c6eb.html [accessed 26 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 20, 2012
Yemen's military says its troops have seized control of an Al-Qaeda stronghold, killing at least 18 militants.
A Defense Ministry statement said on April 20 that government forces captured a district of the city of Zinjibar, in southern Abyan Province, a stronghold of the Al-Qaeda-linked Ansar al-Sharia group.
The statement said the rest of the city was controlled by militants.
The attack was part of a government offensive that began two weeks ago in Abyan.
Officials say the offensive has led to the deaths of 250 militants and 37 Yemeni soldiers.
Al-Qaeda has exploited the power vacuum left by the Arab Spring-inspired protests, which eventually forced Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to resign.
His successor, Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi, took office in February and has vowed to fight Al-Qaeda.
Based on reporting by dpa and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
