A day after state officials confirmed 20 soldiers had been killed in what appeared to be yet another al-Qaeda attack against the military in the restive eastern southern of Hadhramawt, al-Islah took to the media, keen to denounce the attack and call for an immediate investigation.
"The people who committed this crime have nothing to do with human or religious values," wrote the party in a statement.
It is important to note that al-Islah’s insistence to distance itself from this new terror act of violence comes amid allegations made by prominent politicians and tribal leaders, among whom, Sheikh Mohammed bin Naji al-Shayif, that al-Islah is indeed itself a sponsor and affiliate of al-Qaeda. Such accusations have yet of course to be substantiated. Nevertheless, amid such turmoil and the recent political excommunication of the Muslim Brotherhood by Saudi Arabia and Egypt, al-Islah is said to be on the defensive, intent on asserting its rejection of any form of terror-related violence in Yemen.
While al-Qaeda Yemen has yet to claim responsibility for Monday attack, security officials have already said the attacks bore the hallmarks of the group to a T.
Playing on the impoverished nation vulnerability, terror militants have concentrated their attacks in Yemen southern territories, acutely aware that the central government has less reach there than it has in the north.
As al-Qaead continues to test Yemen armed forces, experts have warned that attacks will only increase in frequency and boldness, as the terror group looks to establish roots in the region, ahead of a more ambition plan yet, the creation of an independent Islamic state.