Shabwah Governorate offensive (2014-2016)

Shabwah Governorate offensive (2014-2016) Part of Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen and the Yemeni civil war (2015–present) AQAP fighters manning a checkpoint at the town of Azzan in April of 2012. Date 2014–present Location Habban District and Azzan, Shabwah Governorate Yemen Status Ongoing Al Qaeda captures Habban and Azzan Pro-Hadi fighters recapture Azzan Belligerents Al-Qaeda Emirate in Yemen AQAP Yemen United States United Arab Emirates Commanders and leaders Yasser al Marouh Unknown Casualties and losses 25+[1][2] 12+[3][4]

Shabwah Governorate offensive (2014-2016) refers to an ongoing campaign by AQAP to take control of Shabwah Governorate, during their insurgency, and until today, at Yemeni civil war.

Habban incidents

Despite the AQAP haven't presence in the Habban district, the first violent events reported in the mid-March 2014, when three AQAP militants were reported killed while setting up a car as a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). According to tribal sources, the explosion occurred near the house of the al Qaeda commander of the Sabban, Yasser al Marouh. Yemeni security forces were able to identify the three militants killed and said that two were Yemeni and one was a Saudi national. The house was severely damaged by the blast but is not confirmed if the commander he was present when it happened. They also reported that two bystanders were injured by the explosion and were rushed to Azzan Hospital in the province. One additional bystander was killed. Sources in the Yemeni security services told Arabic news outlets that they assumed the VBIED was being set up for use in an operation targeting Yemeni military or security personnel. They stated that Shabwa, Hadramawt, Abyan, and Al Bayda provinces have been battlegrounds for an open war between al Qaeda and Yemeni security personnel that has lasted for over two years and caused the deaths of hundreds.^[5] In early August, 2014, fierce fighting broke out in Habban and in the Shabwan border with Hadramaut, wits is left 12 Yemeni soldiers and 9 AQAP soldiers dead.^[3][4] At the beginning of the Yemeni civil war in meddle of 2015, AQAP fully captured Habban expelling Yemeni loyals to Hadi out of the city. In April 17 of 2015, 2 AQAP fighters have killed by an US airstrike in the town of Habban.^[6] 4 AQAP fighters killed in Shabwah after a US drone strike, in 3 March 2016.^[7]

Azzan capture

In February 1, 2016, AQAP captured Azzan, without a bit of resistance by the population or the Yemeni army. AQAP then begin to establish Sharia law like they did previously in the town of Zinjibar, Jaar and the other town that have captured. Reports sayd that AQAP executed some civilians that allegedly committed adultery.^{[6][8][9][10][11]} In 30 of March 2016, a suspected US drone strike, killed 4 AQAP soldiers, that manning a checkpoint around the outskirts of Azzan.^[12]

Government recaptures Azzan

In April 25, 2016, pro-Hadi loyalists along with UAE soldiers entered Azzan after AQAP retreated from the town without a fight. A day before the AQAP withdrawal, a suspected US drone strike attacked AQAP fighters in Azzan killing more than 8 fighters.^[13][14]

References

1. "3 al Qaeda militants killed while assembling car bomb". The Long War Journal. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
2. Reuters Editorial (4 March 2016). "Drone kills four suspected al Qaeda militants in Yemen". Reuters. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
3. Reuters Editorial (4 August 2014). "Suspected al Qaeda militants kill nine Yemeni soldiers -local officials". Reuters UK. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
4. Reuters Editorial (6 August 2014). "Yemeni troops kill nine suspected al Qaeda militants: agency". Reuters. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
5. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/al-qaeda-operatives-yemen-accidently-blow-article-1.1723898
6. "Al-Qaeda captures strategic Yemen town, kills militia leader". RT International. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
7. "Gunmen kill 16 people in attack on nursing home in Yemen". Retrieved 30 April 2016.
8. AP. "Al-Qaeda seizes southern Yemeni town of Azzan". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
9. Ghaith Abdul-Ahad. "Al-Qaida's wretched utopia and the battle for hearts and minds". the Guardian. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
10. "AQAP provides social services, implements sharia while advancing in southern Yemen". The Long War Journal. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
11. "Al-Qaeda captures police HQ in Yemen". Al Bawaba. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
12. http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2016/03/31/Air-strikes-target-and-kill-al-Qaeda-militants-in-Yemen.html
13. "Yemeni Forces Seize Main Oil Terminal from al-Qaida". VOA. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
14. "Yemen Govt. Forces Retake Key Port City from Qaida". Naharnet. Retrieved 30 April 2016.