Security sources confirmed on Friday Yemen counter-terror units intercepted six wanted terrorists in the southern governorate of Taiz following an intensive investigation and search.
Ever since Yemen was put under red terror alert earlier this August, the government has given strict instructions to all local governments to ferociously crackdown on all suspected terror activities and elements as to foil any attempt to destabilize the country and thwart its efforts toward a peaceful transition of power.
While drones continue to patrol the skies of Yemen, units on the ground are looking to dismantle terror cells and send militants running.
But if Yemen coalition government and its allies are determined to lay waste al-Qaeda, extremists are too going on the offensive, using the same hit and run tactic which led to the death dozens of intelligence and security officers over the past two years.
Early at dawn this Friday in south-eastern province of Hadhramawt, two soldiers were killed when alleged al-Qaeda militants attacked a military post near the city of Shibam, a subsidiary of the 137 armored brigade.
Sources close to the matter revealed that explosives were find in the assailants' vehicle, pointing to an attempted car-bomb attack. All men were killed during the exchange of fire.
Yemen mountainous terrain makes it difficult for government troops on the ground to permeate territories against terror militants, even when backed by local tribes.
And while Yemen will have to press on against extremists, the government will have to devise of a strategy which aims to eradicate Islamic extremism at its root rather than address its manifestations, say experts.