The former governor of Abyan, Ahmed Al-Maysari, has demanded Yemeni clerics to issue a fatwa against Ansar Al-Shariah (Supporters of the Islamic Law), a group linked to Al-Qaeda.
In remarks to the London-based Al-Sharaq Al-Awsat Newspaper, he asked religious scholars to issue a clear-cut fatwa against criminal acts committed by militants in Abyan.
Al-Maysari affirmed that the military could separate Zinjibar from Jaar, the two towns that are considered the main strongholds of the group in Abyan.
Confrontations have been continuing between Ansar Al-Shariah and the Yemeni Army in the outskirts of Zinjibar, leaving dozens of both sides killed and wounded.
Local sources affirmed that the army could control on the southeast of the town and could reach to the hear of the town after air-fighters launched strikes on the town.
The Defense Ministry affirmed that it is determined to expand its military operations to the neighboring town of Jaar , ensure the return of the displaced persons and impose security and stability.
The ministry affirmed that 32 Al-Qaeda militants were killed during two days of raids against Lawdar, stressing that many veteran leaders of Al-Qaeda.
Military sources have said strikes targeted vehicles in the desert, destroying one and partly disabling another, pointing out that third vehicle was able to escape.
They further said President Abdu Rabo Mansour Hadi ordered to send military reinforcements to fight Al-Qaeda amid an objection to use US drone in the military attacks by some members of parliament.
Gerald Feierstein, the U.S. ambassador to Yemen, during a press conference at the embassy on Sunday attributed the army’s progress to changes made by President Abdurabu Mansur Hadi in the military’s leadership.