Aden (South24 Center) 

The Southern Armed Forces announced on Thursday (May 22) thwarting of a terrorist operation planned by suspected Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) elements in the Mahfad district of Abyan governorate, east of the capital Aden.

According to ‘Der Aalganoob’ (Southern Shield), the media outlet of the Southern Forces, a military patrol from the First Support Brigade detected suspicious movement near a main road during a routine mission.

The statement added: "When attempting to verify, one of the suspects opened fire on the soldiers before fleeing toward rugged terrain."

The forces reinforced the area with additional units and, during a sweep operation, discovered two improvised explosive devices (IEDs)—one not yet planted and another partially assembled about six meters away—along with bloodstains and personal belongings believed to belong to the attacker, suggesting he was wounded in the clash.

One Southern Forces soldier sustained minor injuries in the confrontation.

The incident comes amid ongoing operations by the Southern Forces in Abyan governorate since August 2022 to eliminate the AQAP. The campaign, named ’Arrows of the East’, has successfully driven the terror group out of strategic strongholds.

The AQAP’s foiled operation highlights continued militant activity despite their recent territorial losses, as Abyan remains a key battleground in Yemen's counterterrorism efforts. The Southern Forces have been maintaining pressure on the extremist groups amid the country's complex security landscape.