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Roundup: Pro-gov't forces recapture new ground from al-Qaida in southern Yemen

Xinhua, April 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

Forces loyal to Yemen's government on Friday continued fighting al-Qaida militants in the country's south, regaining full control over new areas from al-Qaida terrorist group in the southern province of Lahj after a well-planned military operation.

The pro-government forces air-covered by Saudi-led helicopters in the early morning made significant advance in Houta town, the provincial capital of Lahj province, and managed to recapture all neighboring areas after short armed confrontations with al-Qaida members there, according to a local Yemeni government official.

The government source said that dozens of fighters of the Popular Resistance, an anti-Houthi southern militia, participated in the military operation alongside with pro-government forces and succeeded in entering several al-Qaida-controlled positions in Lahj.

A military source said on condition of anonymity that "an all-out anti-terror offensive is still ongoing against al-Qaida militants in Lahj, but most of the key areas are now under the control of pro-government forces."

"Hundreds of well-armed soldiers backed by military UAE armored vehicles came from neighboring province of Aden and took control over government institutions in Lahj," the military source said.

He said that more than 50 al-Qaida members were caught by pro-government forces after the armed confrontations that left unknown number of killed and injured people from the both sides.

Residents in Lahj province told Xinhua that dozens of al-Qaida gunmen were seen fleeing the city center of Houta town on motorcycles after the arrival of pro-government troops.

The pro-government forces deployed armored vehicles and tanks around the main entrances and on the streets of Lahj province, according to the residents.

Security in Yemen has deteriorated since March 2015, when war broke out between the Shiite Houthi group, supported by former President Ali Abdullash Saleh, and the government forces backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition.

More than 6,000 people have been killed in ground battles and airstrikes since then, half of them civilians. Endit