Al Mukalla: Security authorities in Yemen’s port city of Aden have vowed to hunt down Al Qaida and Daesh affiliates everywhere shortly after a suicide bomber killed at least 60 recruits on Monday morning.
Officials and analysts link the attack to the recent government territorial gains in the fighting against Al Qaida in southern Yemen.
Speaking to the Gulf News from the scene of the explosion, Brigadier General Nasser Al Anbori, the commander of Special Security Forces in Aden, Lahej and Abyan, said that they would not be deterred by such attacks and security apparatus would continue searching for hiding militants.
“They want to send a message that security in Aden and the other liberated areas is fragile,” he said.
Daesh claimed responsibility the deadly attack targeting recruits in Aden’s Mansoura district.
Local security officials said at least 60 recruits were killed when the suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden car into a gathering of hundreds of recruits in Aden.
The attack, the deadliest in quite some time, comes as government forces said Saturday they had booted Al Qaida out of south Yemen entirely.
The attack claimed by Daesh could be linked to Iran-backed Al Houthi militants and supporters of ousted Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen’s Deputy Minister of Interior Major General Ali Nasser Lakhsha told Gulf News.
“They could have encouraged the militants to carry out such an attack as they (Al Houthis) do not wish to see us succeed,” Lakhsha said.
Security forces in Aden and other southern provinces have achieved major victories in the war against Al Qaida militants who have taken advantage of a security vacuum since Yemeni forces have been busy battling Al Houthi militants.
“They are targeting army and police recruits because there are the nucleus of the national army,” he added.
Recent achievements made against Al Qaida by Yemeni forces have been widely praised.
Yasser Al Yafae, a political analyst, told Gulf News, despite these attacks, crime has significantly dropped in Aden and the neighbouring Lahej province after successful operations against Al Qaida.
“Police have been rounding up militants responsible for a string of attacks on security personnel,” he added.
