Yemen: Al-Qaeda loses major stronghold of Mahfad in south
UAE-backed Yemeni forces have completely cleansed al-Qaeda militants from Mahfad district, al-Qaeda’s major stronghold in the southern province of Abyan, local government and military officials said on Sunday.
In the lightning offensive on the district earlier this month, forces from Security Belt stormed the town of Mahfad and a large of swathe of lands including scattered villages that have long been safe havens for the militants.
A local military commander told Gulf News that Security Belt forces have handed over security to local government authorities after rounding up many al-Qaeda operatives who used to wreck havoc in the town.
“Security Belt forces have withdrawn from Mahfad after successfully booting al-Qaeda militants,” the commander said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press.