Four people killed in clashes with southern separatists

By Nasser Arrabyee/04/2010

At least two soldiers and two separatists were killed and four others were injured after clashes in the restive southern province of Lahj where separation sentiment has been in rise, local sources said Saturday.
The clashes took place in Al Rabwah mountainous area, in Radfan of Lahj province after the security forces raided a group of separatists who implemented a series of attacks against the security forces over the last few days.

Separately, a non-Yemeni Al Qaeda suspect was arrested in the southern Yemeni province of Abyan, said the ministry of interior on Saturday.
Jaber Ali Al Qaifi, 27, an Arab, was arrested in Mukairas area while riding a motorcycle coming from the town of Lawdar where fierce confrontations between Al Qaeda and the Yemen security forces killed more than 30 people including 19 militants and 11 soldiers earlier last month.

On Friday, Al Qaeda uspect Saleh Ali Abdullah Al Dabani, 20, was arrested in the security check point of Amshak, Lawdar district, while also riding a motorcycle, according to an official statement.

Meanwhile, one soldier was killed and four others were injured in two separate attacks implemented by Al Qaeda operatives and separatists in the southern provinces of Abyan and Lahj, the ministry of interior said Saturday.

The soldier Mohammed Taher was killed and soldier Abdullah Ali Abu Bakr was injured when Al Qaeda operatives attacked a patrol in Amoudia area in Abyan province late Friday at the time of Iftar (Ramadan dinner) , said the ministry’s statement.

Three more soldiers were injured when outlaws (separatists) attacked a security check point at the area of Sawad Shalik in Lahj also late Friday according to the statement.

The Yemeni officials say that Al Qaeda and separatists are in full cooperation and coordination to undermine the security and stability of the south.
“Al Qaeda and separatist movement are two faces of the same terrorist coin,” said an official statement Friday commenting on the latest bloody incidents which were mostly claimed by Al Qaeda.