US drone strike kills 6 Al-Qaeda suspects in Yemen
The US has carried out a drone strike on a suspected al-Qaeda hideout in Yemen's Abyan province, killing at least six suspects, the US military said. The attack was carried out in coordination with Yemeni government forces and all those killed are believed to be members of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The region remains a major battleground for counter-terrorism efforts.
A Yemeni military official reported that the United States conducted a drone strike overnight, aiming at a suspected al-Qaeda site in Abyan province's south on Saturday, resulting in at least six fatalities. The official, who wished to remain anonymous, informed Xinhua news agency that the strike occurred late Friday in the Marakisha mountains of eastern Abyan.
The deceased are believed to be members of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemen-based branch of the Al Qaeda network. The official noted that the operation was executed in collaboration with Yemeni government forces. The targeted location was allegedly used as a base for assaults on government forces and recent bombing activities in the region.
Since late 2022, Abbayan has become a central focus in Yemen's fight against terrorism. The pro-government Southern Transitional Council's forces have been attempting to eliminate al-Qaeda militants in isolated regions, with backing from government forces. According to government officials, AQAP frequently attacks security forces using improvised explosive devices.
Yemen has been enduring a prolonged civil war that started in 2014 when the Houthi faction seized control of the capital, Sanaa. The power void has allowed extremist organizations like al-Qaeda to exploit the situation. As per United Nations estimates, the war has resulted in the deaths of thousands and has left millions in a state of famine.