Yemen regains strategic bases from AQAP

By Fatik al-Rodaini

SANA'A, May 16, 2012- Yemen's Defense Ministry said that armed forces made decisive advances against al-Qaeda in the southern province of Abyan and regained strategic positions.

According to Bikymasr.com Yasouf Mount near Lawder was retaken while soldiers advanced towards Jaar.

"Yasouf Mount near Lawder was retaken from the militants earlier today by the People’s Committee, a group of local tribal fighters in league with the government while soldiers advanced towards Jaar, aided by warplanes,'' the website reported.

After four days of intense fighting, both on land and from the air, the armed forces are believed to be carving their way through Zinjibar, which since 2011 was under control of the Islamists, having been declared an Islamic Caliphate.

Yemen's President Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi reiterated his willingness to eradicate al-Qaeda from Yemen, “crushing all resistance,'' with 25,000 troops now stationed in Abyan province.