In a statement posted on the jihadists' websites, al-Qaeda leader in the Arabian Peninsula AbuBaseer Nasser al-Wahishi urged the militants fighting the Yemeni army in southern Yemen to fight until the last breath, saying death is inevitable.

"Death is inevitable and we all are going to die even if we don't want that. Hence, choose how you will die and opt for martyrdom," he said.

Al-Wahishi linked the blood and the sacrifices with victory and defeating enemies, citing an Islamic cleric who said Islam is a tree that doest live except on blood. "Because this religion is precious it requires the blood of martyrs," he said.

He said the war that President Hadi is waging against Ansar al-Sharia, al-Qaeda offshoot in Yemen, in Abyan is not in his nation's, nor in his people's favor.

His comments were largely perceived by many analysts as an admission of defeat in the southern war-torn province of Abyan.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni army assisted by tribal militias were reported to have been deployed today around Ja'ar, al-Qaeda stronghold and the second biggest town in Abyan, as they prepare to launch a comprehensive military campaign to storm the town and drive the militants out.

In the past couple of weeks, the army troops delivered painful strikes against the terrorists and managed to kicked them out of some towns in Abyan.
Dozens of militants were reportedly killed since the latest expansion of military operations.