Yemen: Arab coalition kills two AQAP leaders in Abyan province April 18

Event

On Wednesday, April 18, Arab coalition-backed forces killed two leaders of Al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen's southern Abyan province. The militants were reportedly killed in fighting with forces supported by the UAE, according to Saudi state media. Retaliatory AQAP attacks are possible in Abyan province, and elsewhere in Yemen, in the coming days and weeks.

Context

Islamist terrorist groups such as AQAP, locally known as Ansar Al-Sharia, initially strengthened their foothold in Yemen amid the chaos of the devastating civil war in the country, ongoing since 2015. Hadi government and allied Arab coalition-backed forces have since won key battles against AQAP militants in Abyan and other southern provinces over the past year, clearing some territory of AQAP militants. However, diverging Saudi and Emirati political and security priorities vis-à-vis Yemen coupled with cleavages between the Hadi government and the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) threaten to undermine Hadi government and allied operations against armed opponents, including against AQAP and Ansar Allah (Houthis).

Advice

Due to poor security conditions, many Western governments strongly advise their citizens against all travel to Yemen. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.