Al Qaeda almost re-controls town in south Yemen, 43 killed

By Nasser Arrabyee,09/04/2012

Al Qaeda has controlled almost all the circumference of the southern town of Lawdar after about 43 operatives, soldiers, and tribesmen were killed in fierce clashes with government troops and loyal tribesmen, said local sources late Monday.

The troops of the brigade 111 returned to its barracks when they did not find any support from the air force, and Al Qaeda fighters advanced to Mount Yasof, east of Lawdar, and Mount Jara west of Lawdar, the sources said. 

Early morning Monday, Al Qaeda attacked Lawdar from three directions but failed to take control  over the town because the troops of brigade 111 and tribesmen, known as anti-Al Qaeda popular committees, drove them away killing more than 18 terrorists. but later in the after noon, Al Qaeda fighters attacked again and forced the troops to with draw from the area of Kahraba at the outskirts of Lawdar killing more than 20 soldiers and more 6 tribesmen, the sources added.