Governor of Abyan Jamal Al-Aqel has said that Ansar Alshari, an al-Qaeda-linked group, faces a very difficult situation, stressing that the Yemeni army makes remarkable progress against the militants who are pursued in their hideouts, as the governor said.
In remarks to the military-run 26 September Newspaper, Al-Aqel highly appreciated tribal leaders and locals of Abyan, asserting that they strongly backed the army and that the battle in Abyan will be resolved soon.
He promised thousands of internally displaced persons to back to their villages and homes soon, stressing that Al-Qaeda militants are defeated in several areas of Abyan.
Local sources said on Monday that the army prepares for raiding Emsara, a southern coastal town from al Qaeda-linked fighters.
Yemeni troops have advanced into the centre the southern town of Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan province, where they fought on Sunday. Local sources affirmed that hundreds of troops backed by tanks were closing in on the militant-held town of Shaqra, some 50 km (30 miles) along the coast east of Zinjibar.
They further indicated that Yemeni warplanes continued strikes against al-Qaeda positions in Zinjibar and Jaar.
Meanwhile, a car bomb exploded, killing four tribesmen and wounding another of what is called the Popular Resistance Committees formed of tribesmen to back the army, the Defense Ministry said.
Military sources said six jihadists died in clashes with troops, elsewhere in Abyan.
According to an AFP tally compiled from official statements, at least 397 people have been killed, , including 291 Al-Qaeda fighters, 66 military personnel, 22 local militiamen and 18 civilians since the offensive began.
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