Al-Qaeda In Arabian Peninsula Extends
Zone Of Control In Southern Yemen
12 June 2011
By Markaz Kavkaz
Western sources acknowledge that despite the military
efforts of Saleh regime and the participation of US
aircraft in military operations, the Mujahideen of al-Qaeda
in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Muslim groups
allied with it have not only retained control over
Zinjibar and the province of Abyan, which was
proclaimed the Islamic Emirate of Abyan, but also
extend its presence in the neighboring provinces of
Shabwa and Hadramawt.
Local residents reported that the Mujahideen set up
roadblocks and checkpoints on the roads, organizing
bases and training camps. During the hostilities, the
AQAP Mujahideen captured the town of Rawdah and Houtah
in the province of Shabwa.
Roadblocks and checkpoints of the Mujahideen appeared
at the border of province of Hadramawt.
Local residents reported that many Yemeni clans in the
south of the country are loyal to al-Qaeda. They often
carry out joint military operations against the army
units of the Yemeni army.
Several thousand Mujahideen are concentrated in the
city of Zinjibar. Meanwhile, according to the US, the
direct members of al-Qaeda are several hundred people.
Americans do not give any data to explain on what
basis these figures are.
Western media outlets suggest that America has
dramatically increased bombardments of southern Yemen
after thousands of Mujahideen took control over the
provincial capital city of Abyan, Zinjibar, and
announced the establishment of the Islamic Emirate of
Abyan.
Meanwhile, the military command of the Yemeni army
admits that the soldiers refuse to fight with the
Mujahideen.
Shabwa-based army Lt. Col. Hassan Radwan said in an
interview with Western reporters that military knew
the whereabouts of Al Qaeda bases in the province as
well as their training camps, but the soldiers refused
to shoot, saying that armed groups of local tribal
clans are at these bases.
Sources of the Western media outlets have also
reported that the Mujahideen of al-Qaeda feel
absolutely free, even in the province of Hadramawt,
where according to one local democratic activist named
Nasser, they "quietly playing dominoes, drinking
coffee in local cafes".
The United States have also expressed concern over the
fact that according to intelligence units of the al-Qaeda
are present in the second largest Yemeni city of Taiz,
who together with local armed clans expelled forces of
Saleh's regime from the city.
Meanwhile a demonstration with participation of one
hundred thousandth of Yemenis held in Sanaa on Friday.
They demanded the immediate formation of a
transitional interim board, which must organize
elections.
At the same time several thousand supporters of
President Saleh rallied in another area of ??the city,
who spoke in support of his return to the country
after treatment in Saudi Arabia.
In turn, the US has again urged supporters of Saleh
immediately to arrange a peaceful transfer of power in
order to stabilize the situation and send all the
forces of the Yemeni army and the new democratic
regime against the Mujahideen of al-Qaeda.
©
EsinIslam.Com
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