عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Yemen: Little Progress in Abyan’s Battles

Caption: A tank belonging to forces loyal to Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists during clashes with pro-government forces for control of Zinjibar [Nabil Hasan/AFP]
Caption: A tank belonging to forces loyal to Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists during clashes with pro-government forces for control of Zinjibar [Nabil Hasan/AFP]
TT
TT

Yemen: Little Progress in Abyan’s Battles

Caption: A tank belonging to forces loyal to Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists during clashes with pro-government forces for control of Zinjibar [Nabil Hasan/AFP]
Caption: A tank belonging to forces loyal to Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists during clashes with pro-government forces for control of Zinjibar [Nabil Hasan/AFP]

Following heavy battles between Yemen’s pro-government forces and Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists in Abyan governorate, there has been no military progress on both sides.

Confrontations, in which the two sides exchanged missiles Sunday, were mainly concentrated on two fronts - the village of Sheikh Salem that leads to Zinjibar and al-Tariya, from where Yemeni legitimate forces are trying to advance towards Jaar, Abyan’s second largest city.

Both sides kept silence on the number of soldiers killed and the size of inflicted damages since early last week.

Observers said the fighting left several casualties on both sides. However, no exact number could be revealed due to the ongoing battles.

A balanced military strength has made it difficult for any part to win the Abyan battle.

The STC declared about three weeks ago a state of emergency in areas falling under its control. On May 11, government troops launched an offensive to expel the separatists from southern provinces including the port city of Aden.

Pro-STC observers said the separatists brought on Sunday military reinforcements from Aden and Lahj to advance against government forces.

On Saturday, the STC said it had captured Brig. Saif Al-Qufaish, the commander of Brigade 115 in Abyan. The next day, pro-government forces said they detained STC commander Anis al-Sabhi along with seven of his associates near al-Tariya area.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s Information Minister Muamer al-Iryani warned Sunday of the serious consequences of the declaration of the so-called "self-administration of the south" by the STC.

He told the Saba news agency that the separatists’ reckless move is creating an ideal environment for terrorist activities and weapons smuggling in Yemen’s southern coast, namely the smuggling of Iranian arms to Houthi militias.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

IOM Says Severe Flooding Affected Half a Million Yemeni

The rains have not only led to tragic loss of life but have also wiped out entire communities’ belongings. Photo: UN
The rains have not only led to tragic loss of life but have also wiped out entire communities’ belongings. Photo: UN
TT
TT

IOM Says Severe Flooding Affected Half a Million Yemeni

The rains have not only led to tragic loss of life but have also wiped out entire communities’ belongings. Photo: UN
The rains have not only led to tragic loss of life but have also wiped out entire communities’ belongings. Photo: UN

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said that torrential rains and flooding have affected half a million people in Yemen.

The severe flooding and violent windstorms affected nearly 562,000 people in Yemen, IOM said in a recent report.

Across multiple governorates, including Ibb, Sanaa, Marib, Hodeidah, and Taiz, thousands of people have been left without shelter, clean water, or access to basic services, and scores of lives have been tragically lost, said the report.

Marib Governorate has been particularly hard-hit, with strong winds since 11 August severely damaging 73 displacement sites and affecting over 21,000 households.

Over 15,000 families in Hodeidah and 11,000 in Taiz were also left in desperate need of emergency support.

The rains have not only led to tragic loss of life but have also wiped out entire communities’ belongings and means of survival, IOM said.

So, the IOM launched a $13.3 million appeal to deliver urgent life-saving assistance.

“Yemen is facing yet another devastating chapter in its relentless crisis, exacerbated by the intersection of conflict and extreme weather events,” said IOM Yemen’s Acting Chief of Mission Matt Huber.

“IOM teams are on the ground, working around the clock to deliver immediate relief to families affected by this catastrophe. However, the scale of the destruction is staggering, and we urgently need additional funding to ensure that the most vulnerable are not left behind. We must act immediately to prevent further loss and alleviate the suffering of those impacted,” he added.