Main Daesh operative captured in Aden

Elite Yemeni counterterrorism forces captured a leading Daesh operative after a raid on his hideout in the port city of Aden, the city’s police said in a statement.

The captured figure, identified by initials as F.A.S., orchestrated several drive-by shootings against security personnel and a deadly suicide attack on counter-terrorism forces in Aden.

Police said the forces stormed a house in Enma district on Wednesday after receiving information that a leading militant who plotted attacks was hiding there. A stash of arms, explosive belts, IEDs and other explosive materials were found in the house.

During investigations, the man admitted to assassinating two security officers and co-plotting a terrorist attack on an Aden counter-terrorism base that claimed that lives of at least 16 soldiers and civilians last month. The man also revealed information about future attacks against security forces.

Police described the capture of the figure as an important step towards completely defeating Daesh and Al Qaida in the city.

Deadly attacks

Security authorities have recently announced the arrests of a handful of Al Qaida and Daesh operatives blamed for a string of assassinations and deadly attacks in Aden.

Meanwhile, in the northern province of Saada, Al Houthis’ main bastion, Yemen’s Defence Ministry said heavy fighting broke out on Wednesday between government forces and the militia on Bouqa front amid heavy air strikes by Saudiled coalition fighter jets. In a statement on its official news site, the ministry said government forces pushed back Al Houthis’ offensive along a chain of rugged mountains called Mahjouba in Saada.