80 Al Qaeda operatives killed in south Yemen battles

By Nasser Arrabyee, 22/08/2011

A total of 80 Al Qaeda operatives were killed in the fighting going on in the southern province of Abyan,said chairman of the Yemen intelligence on Monday.

Ali Al Ansi,head of the National Security Agency (NSA) said those killed were Yemeni and non-Yemeni leaders and operatives and were  recognized and identified by names.

"Those who were killed and injured were hundreds,but those who were identified by names were 80,"said Al Ansi in an interview with the mouthpiece of the ruling party,Al Methaq weekly.

The fighting continues until today between the government troops and Al Qaeda operatives since the latter declared the city of Zinjubar as an Islamic Emirate on May 29, 2011.
 
Al Ansi said that Al Qaeda operatives are also fighting with the opposition tribesmen in Arhab and Taiz who fight the government troops with support from the defected general Ali Muhsen.

The intelligence official some of Al Qaeda elements are hiding in the protest squares and inside the defected First Armored Division (FAD) of general Ali Muhsen,under the protection of the opposition.

"We observed elements of Al Qaeda in the sit-in squares and inside the FAD,but the opposition made it difficult for us to arrest them," said Al Ansi.

The official said that 80 per cent of the investigations over the failed assassination attempt against President Saleh and senior State's officials,were achieved.

"The results will be announced very soon in public trials of those involved," said Al Ansi.