Sana’a: A total of 14 Al Qaida suspects have been arrested in Lawdar district of Yemen’s southern province of Abyan where security forces have been scouring Al Qaida hideouts for more than two weeks, official sources said on Sunday.
"The security forces are hunting for the remaining terrorists around the clock, and those trying to escape will be arrested by the security check-points which surround all the area of Lawdar," said a statement by the Ministry of Interior.
Four out of the 14 arrested militants, including top Al Qaida operative Salah Al Dabani, had been apprehended at the check-points, the statement said.
More Al Qaida militants were expected to surrender as security forces tightened the dragnet around them with support from local tribal leaders, the statement added.
Yemeni security forces have stepped up combing operations in Lawdar town and areas surrounding it since the middle of last month when fierce confrontations killed more than 30 people including 19 Al Qaida militants and 11 soldiers.
