AQAP Intervenes In Yemen War
CAIRO [MENL] -- Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula has intervened in the war
in Yemen.
Security sources said AQAP has resumed attacks on positions of both the
Iranian-backed Houthis as well as the Saudi-backed Yemen Army. On Nov. 19,
AQAP attacked a Yemen Army base loyal to ousted President Abbed Rabbo
Mansour Hadi in the eastern province of Hadramaut in which some 30 people on
both sides were killed.
"We believe this is the first of several attacks in the province," a
source said.
The sources said this marked the first major operation by AQAP in
Hadramaut since at least July 2015. They said Al Qaida began with a suicide
car bombing at the 35th Brigade army base, located near Shibam, followed by
the storming of up to 30 fighters. Later, Islamic State of Iraq and Levant
claimed responsibility for the suicide strike.
It was not clear why AQAP intervened in the war in Yemen. But the
sources said Al Qaida, which controlled much of the southern part of the
province, wanted to send a message to the Yemen Army not to advance in
Hadramaut.
"There are contacts between AQAP and elements of the Saudi coalition,"
another source said. "But there is no way AQAP will withdraw from the
territory it is now holding."
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