Aden (South24)

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The Southern Armed Forces today called for regional and international support in their war against terrorist organizations, especially the Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

The call came during a symposium organized by the Southern Armed Forces’ Military Media Center on Monday in the capital, Aden.

The spokesman for the Southern Armed Forces, Captain Mohammed Al-Naqeeb, said: “Our forces have proven that they are a regional and international partner in countering terrorism. But this partnership requires a rapid transition to a partnership in developing capabilities and capabilities in various aspects.”

Al-Naqeeb pointed to what Southern forces have achieved against AQAP in the governorates of Abyan and Shabwa over the past two years. He said that terrorist organizations had reached levels of weakness previously unseen in their history.

"While we are in the midst of this fateful war, there are those who support these terrorist organizations and finance them logistically, with advanced equipment and weapons, including drones, and provide them with shelter," he added.

He referred specifically to the Iranian-backed Houthi group, which he said had allied with AQAP against the Southern Transitional Council and Southern forces, in addition to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Al-Naqeeb spoke about unspecified regional parties, which he says support the Houthis and AQAP to control South and threaten global waterways and energy sources in the region.

"This necessitates that South be a partner in any alliance, especially for the security of the region. This also necessitates the return of the state of South, which represented one of the most important pillars of stability in the region and guarantees the security of international interests and navigation," he added.

Over the past week, al-Qaeda has carried out three drone strikes targeting Southern and tribal forces in the Modyah district of Abyan. A senior military source told South24 Center that three soldiers and one civilian were injured in the attacks.

On Monday, AQAP claimed responsibility for two of the attacks, saying they targeted Southern Forces positions in Wadi Oemran areas of Modyah district.

The group released aerial footage showing the attacks being carried out.

AQAP has focused its attacks solely on Southern Forces in Abyan and Shabwa this year, a notable shift. This observation comes from Elisabeth Kendall, an expert on armed groups. "AQAP has not targeted the Houthis since July 6, 2022", marking a shift in its strategy.