Pro-Saudi troops have regained parts of their “temporary” capital city of Aden, a major port on the southern coast of Yemen, as ground troops and police moved into the al-Mansoura District to try to oust al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
AQAP has had much of the district for months, including the central prison and the main marketplace. They’ve had a presence elsewhere within Aden and the surrounding area too since the pro-Saudi forces took it from the Shi’ite Houthis.
Aden police now insist the whole district is “completely” under control, though such claims have not always stood the test of time, as AQAP seems determined to retain control all along the southern coast.
AQAP took considerable territory early in the Saudi attack on Yemen, sexing the city of al-Mukallah, and shoring up control over the entire Abyan Province. Those territories are split by Aden, and maintaining a presence there likely key to AQAP retaining both areas.
“AQAP took considerable territory early in the Saudi attack on Yemen, sexing the city of al-Mukallah, and shoring up control over the entire Abyan Province.”
I’m guessing that should be “seizing the city of al-Mukallah”, or else Al-Qaeda have adopted some steamy new battle tactics.