Aden (South24 Center)

A local source told South24 Center that elements believed to belong to AQAP fired mortar shells on Saturday evening (November 22) at a Southern Forces position in the Al-Masaina area of Shabwa Governorate, southern Yemen, resulting in injury of a Southern Forces officer. 

The mortar firing originated from the Madhab mountains overlooking Al-Masaina, prompting Southern Forces to return fire and launch field clearance operations in the surrounding area to locate the attackers, the source added.

A military source told South24 Center that following the incident, the forces imposed an overnight curfew on the Al-Masaina area of Al-Saeed District, in a security measure aimed at containing the threat and pursuing elements of the terror group.

Sources confirmed that an officer was injured during the attack, while forces continue sweep-and-raid operations in and around the Al-Masaina area to prevent follow-up attacks. 

Giving details about the attack, the Southern Forces stated on Sunday (November 23) that units stationed in the Al-Masaina area repelled an attack launched by AQAP elements, adding that forces responded with "immediate and decisive countermeasures", inflicting direct losses on the attackers before they fled. According to the statement, the forces launched pursuit operations against the elements involved in the attack.

The statement noted that a soldier from the 6th Airborne Brigade was injured during the response, clarifying that his injuries were "moderate" and he is receiving necessary medical care. It noted that the attack occurred as Southern Forces continue with their specialized operations under ’Southern Arrows‘ targeting AQAP strongholds and enhancing security in Shabwa Governorate.

In a separate incident, an improvised explosive device planted by AQAP detonated during a Southern Forces patrol on the main road in Al-Masaina, Shabwa Governorate, without causing human or material losses, a military source had informed South24 Center on Thursday (November 20).

Late the same night, the Southern Forces announced that they had thwarted an infiltration attempt by Houthi militia toward the Al-Dawari sector on the Karsh front in Lahj Governorate.

The forces stated that some Houthi elements were killed during the operation while repelling the infiltration attempt, confirming the continued tension along confrontation lines and the ongoing exchanges of fire between the two sides.

A field source informed South24 Center that Southern Forces have repelled numerous scattered attacks in recent days, highlighting the multiple security pressures being faced by the forces across several Southern fronts.

On November 14, a Security Belt Forces soldier was killed and another injured in an IED explosion, believed to be orchestrated by Al-Qaeda—that targeted a Southern Forces patrol in Al-Wadea District, Abyan Governorate, according to field military sources who spoke to South24 Center.

Sources reported that the device was remotely detonated as the patrol passed along a secondary road, resulting in one soldier's immediate death and critical injuries to another. The forces stated that the injured soldier was a staff officer of the Security Belt Forces in Al-Wadea.

The Al-Masaina attack follows days after airstrikes targeted suspected AQAP positions in the "Khawrah" area of Markha Al-Sufla District in Shabwa on November 10. A local source told South24 Center at the time that the strikes targeted weapons storage facilities and field commanders of the organization, causing casualties and equipment destruction.

The origin of these airstrikes remains unclear, though they are believed to be US drone strikes.