Sources within the Defense ministry confirmed this Saturday that the regime forces had killed 5 allegeg al-Qaeda militants in the southern province of Abyan in its latest shelling strike.
For nearly 6 months now, "Ansar al Sharia" a self-proclaimed offshoot of al –Qaeda in Yemen has been batting the government forces in the southern provinces of Yemen as they continue to try to extend their territories in the region. Having used the power vacuum left by President Saleh in June after an attack on his presidential palace and his convalescing period in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the group managed to seize several towns and villages across the South, most famously, Zinjibar, the regional capital of Abyan.
On Friday evening, the 25th Mechanized Brigade posted in Abyan was ordered to shell the Islamists' positions, killing 5 militants.
Many residents fear that Eid al-Adha which marks the end of the Haj pilgrimage in Mecca and is one the major even on the Muslim calendar will bring another bout of violence as spirits are running high in Yemen, fueled by impatience and resentment against the depreciating quality of life.