Yemeni troops retake military air base near Hodeidah as Aqap leader is killed in mountains
Yemen pro-government forces have retaken control of the military air base east of Hodeidah after clashes with Houthi rebels.
A military source told The
National on Friday that members of Al Amalikah brigades stormed the base after retaking areas of surrounding farms near Kilo 16, a key Houthi supply line that links Hodeidah to the occupied capital of Sanaa.
Other troops secured the palm farms in Baiyat Al Faqih district.
Also on Friday, an Al Qaeda leader was killed and two others were arrested when elite forces backed by the UAE attacked them in the mountainous area of Khourah, in southwest Shabwa province.
The offensive was part of Operation Decisive Sword launched in February to track down members of Al Qaeda, Col Mohammed Al Bouhar told The National.
“The operation launched on Friday led to killing of the high-ranking leader in Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Naif Al Saiyari, and the arrest of two Aqap militants hiding with him in the mountains of Nesab,” Col Al Bouhar said.
“An officer from the elite force that launched the operation was injured along with six other soldiers, two of whom were hurt severely. They were taken to a hospital in Mukhalla to be treated.”
An operation against Al Qaeda in Abyan province also ended successfully on Thursday, local military commander Col Fahed Gharama said.
“We stormed many hideouts affiliate with Al Qaeda elements in Moudya and Lawder, and seized large amounts of rockets and ammunition found in hideouts of the terrorist organisation,” Col Gharama said.
Troops also seized rockets and ammunition from Aqap hideouts in Abyan province