American, Saudi Arabian and Saleh's troops storm Yemeni city of Zinjibar

11 September 2011

The command of Saleh's regime troops claimed on Saturday that the puppet army had seized the capital of the Islamic Emirate of Abyan, Zinjibar, which had been under the control of the Mujahideen of al-Qaeda since May 29, 2011.

The claim was made by personally by Saleh who is in Saudi Arabia for treatment. He congratulated the troops with victory.

Meanwhile, according to AFP with reference to local residents, the Saleh's troops simply moved to eastern outskirts of Zinjibar where they took positions. Heavy fightings are taking place in other parts of the city.

Saleh's officials stated that the troops had been able to break the siege of the 25th mechanized brigade, which lasted for almost 3 months.

Curiously, the report emphasizes that the forces of 119th brigade of Yemeni army, loyal to gen. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, who defected to opposition and is fighting against Saleh in other areas of the country, are fighting against the Mujahideen,

However, forces of Gen. al-Ahmar have teamed up with the 31st and 201st brigades, loyal to Saleh, against the Mujahedeen of al-Qaeda in Abyan.

It is also reported that Saleh in his congratulation message on the reported victory emphasized an important role of America that is very actively fighting as an interested party against the Mujahideen of Yemen alongside with Yemeni puppet troops.

Information that American and Saudi Arabian troops were involved in the fightings against the Mujahideen has been confirmed by Yemen Post, which quotes an official report by a spokesman Saleh's regime, Muhammad Albasha.

It is to be recalled that two days ago, eyewitnesses reported that American troops had landed in the IEA town of Davfas.

According to the puppet paper, in addition to American and Saudi special force, the following units are involved in the assault on Zinjibar:

Special Forces Command
Air Forces Command
Naval Operations Command
201st Mechanized Brigade
119th Infantry Brigade
39th Mechanized Brigade
31st Armored Brigade
25th Mechanized Brigade

Meanwhile, The New York Times reports, citing the official Yemeni puppet news agency SABA, that the Saleh's army formations took control over the Mujahideen-besieged base of the 25th mechanized brigade and entered the capital of Islamic Emirate of Abyan, Zinjibar.

Despite the fact that local puppet TV and news agencies are full of headlines based on the claim that the Saleh army entered Zinjibar, the NYT writes that these statements cannot be verified from independent sources.

In turn, Chinese news agency Xinhua reports that fierce fightings, which do not subside for a moment, are taking place on the streets of Zinjibar.

Saleh's regime officers claimed that that the puppet regime had been able to break through the defenses of the city. The puppets say nothing about their casualties, but claim, nevertheless that the 10 Mujahideen fighters martyred.

It is reported that the Mujahideen have placed mines around the city, and prepared cars packed with explosives to prevent the advance of the puppets.

In general, the situation in Zinjibar remains unclear.

Department of Monitoring
Kavkaz Center

Source: Kavkaz Center.
Link: http://kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2011/09/11/15102.shtml.