AL MUKALLA, Yemen — Thousands of Yemeni troops are conducting a clearing operation aimed at driving Qaeda militants from one of their major strongholds in southern Yemen, according to Arab and American security officials.
The offensive in Shabwa Province started last week and includes about 2,000 Yemeni forces backed by dozens of advisers from the United Arab Emirates, and a handful of United States Special Operations commandos providing intelligence and planning assistance, American officials said.
It is the largest military operation against Qaeda fighters in Yemen since Yemeni troops in armored vehicles and backed by airstrikes seized this major port city in April 2016, after the militants had used it as a base from which to storm through the southern part of the country.
The continuing operation is the latest phase of an increased campaign against the Yemeni militants since President Trump took office. It also reflects Mr. Trump’s general embrace of President Barack Obama’s strategy to aid local allies fighting insurgents in hot spots like Yemen, Somalia and Nigeria, rather than dispatch large numbers of American troops.
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WNU Editor: It appears that the focus of this campaign is to deprive these Al Qaeda affiliates of cash .... US-Backed Forces Evict Al Qaeda Group Oil & Gas Fields In Yemen (OilPrice.com).
More News On Yemen Government Forces With U.S. Special Forces Targeting Al Qaeda's Strongholds In The Country
Al-Qaeda ousted from oil-rich Yemen province: army -- Arab News/AFP
US, Yemeni and UAE forces target Al Qaeda stronghold -- Al Arabiya
US troops are fighting alongside UAE and Yemeni forces -- Middle East Monitor
US puts boots on the ground in Yemen to attack AQAP -- Air Force Times
US-backed Yemeni troops 'push al-Qaeda' out of Shabwa -- BBC
U.S.-backed Yemeni troops push al Qaeda from southern province -- Reuters
Qaeda Militias Dislodged from Yemen's Oil-Rich Southern Province -- Asharq Al-awsat
The DoD Is Turning Up The Heat On Al Qaeda In Yemen -- Task & Purpose
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