Al Mukalla: Yemeni army forces have boosted security in liberated areas of Abyan province the day after it liberated a string of cities from Al Qaida militants.
Armed vehicles and soldiers were deployed in the cities of Zinjibar, Jaar and Kawd on Monday.
Meanwhile, Yemeni forces stormed the port-city of Shoqra on Sunday night after brief clashes with militants.
Major General Ahmad Sayef Al Yafae, the commander of Aden-based 4th Military Region, told Gulf News on Monday that the first phase of the offensive ended on Monday and the second phase would begin at a later stage to pursue the militants who fled into surrounding mountainous regions.
“The offensive is moving on two parallel tracks; civilian and military,” he said.
Backed by heavy air support from the Saudi-led Arab coalition, government forces on Sunday launched a large-scale offensive against Al Qaida militants in the province.
Al Yafae said forces would be posted to the key entrances of the liberated cities to curb any attempt by the militants to sneak back in.
“The army forces that liberated Abyan were trained and armed by the UAE. The have combatant experience and have participated in many battles against Al Qaida and Al Houthis,” he said.
The liberation of Abyan has strategic importance since it would prevent Al Qaida militants from gaining a foothold in the south and reaching Aden where the internationally-recognised government currently is stationed after Iran-backed Al Houthi militants seized the capital in 2014.
Commenting on the operation, Al Yafae said that heavy air strikes by Saudi-led coalition warplanes and helicopters paved the way for the ground forces to advance quickly.
“For 72 hours ahead of the operation, heavy aerial bombardment hit Al Qaida weapon stores, tanks, canons or armed vehicles killing many of them,” he said.
Al Yafae applauded residents for their “helpful” information about locations of Al Qaida operatives or equipment.
“Local people have greatly helped us by alerting us about Al Qaida locations. They just call us when they see militants’ vehicles somewhere in Abyan. A farmer called to inform us that Al Qaida hid a tank in his farm.” he said.
As the army is preparing another military operation against Al Qaida hideouts in mountainous regions, Al Yafae said, local authorities promise to restore vital public services like electricity, water and reconstruction.
Al Qaida stormed the province of Abyan in 2011 and 2015 exploiting security vacuums during different waves of conflicts in Yemen.
“Al Qaida would not able to recapture areas again in Abyan as there is a new political regime and new leaders. They used to get arms from army brigades in Abyan.” Al Yafae said.
Meanwhile, the UAE Red Crescent said it has begun distributing food baskets to residents of liberated areas of Abyan.
