Thursday, May 15, 2014

Al Qaeda attacks Yemeni Army post, kills 7, loses 16

(Azzan) Al Qaeda terrorists attacked two military posts in a southern province of Yemen where the government mounted an offensive two weeks ago. After 3 hours of heavy fighting, the attackers melted away, leaving behind 7 dead soldiers for the price of 16 of heir own.

The Yemeni Army had captured both Gol Al-Rayda and Azzan, as well as the Mahfad district in Abyan province earlier this month after heavy fighting in which scores were killed on both sides.

A Yemeni journalist who specializes in covering Al-Qaeda, Abdulrazzaq Al-Jamal, reported on his Facebook page that the militants killed soldiers at a checkpoint and raised a black flag inscribed with the words “There is no god but God and Mohammed is his Prophet” on the main police station in Azzan.

Residents also said that many people were forced to stay indoors as sounds of clashes rang out over the town.

Military sources in the field said the army forced the terrorist to retreat, and they took with them the bodies of their dead or wounded.

Five terrorist vehicles were destroyed, the Defense Ministry said. Government forces also captured a number of terrorists in Azzan, who were found in possession of “documents, bombs and explosives belts.”