Southern armed forces of “Hos swords” campaign control Jenun valley and drive Al-Qaeda militants out

SMA NEWS – ZINJIBAR
The Southern armed forces of “Hos swords” campaign have driven out Al-Qaeda militants from a valley in the province of Abyan, shortly after seizing control of a base used by the terror group in the same region.

Mohammed Al-Naqeeb, a spokesman for the southern forces, said on Monday that their troops took control of Jenun valley and the surrounding mountains soon after storming Al-Qaeda’s Al-Hajlah military camp in Mudyiah and advancing despite encountering landmines and improvised explosive devices.

The Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, also known as AQAP, has long used a chain of mountains connecting the provinces of Abyan, Al-Bayda, and Shabwa as a haven for the recruitment of fighters, to hide hostages and weapons, and plot attacks against security and military targets throughout the country.

Al-Naqeeb said that southern forces had moved deeper into other valleys in Mudyiah and closer to the border between Abyan and Al-Bayda to prevent Al-Qaeda militants from regrouping, sneaking into urban areas in Abyan, or hiding in dense undergrowth in the valleys.

“The capture would enable the East Arrow forces to secure Mudyiah from Al-Qaeda elements coming from Al-Bayda and pave the way for capturing new areas in Abyan,” he added.

Southern military and security forces launched the East Arrow offensive one year ago, targeting Al-Qaeda’s primary strongholds in rough and desolate valleys and mountains in the southern districts of Abyan and Shabwa.

The southern forces have attacked Al-Qaeda military bases and concealment spots in the Omaran and other valleys, and mountains in the two provinces.