The Yemeni state continues to face significant challenges in the south, where al Qaeda-linked militants control territory. The Yemeni military has yet to regain control of key cities, including Zinjibar, seized by the militants at the end of May 2010.

A new Shiite political party was announced at an event in al Rawda in northern Sana’a. The al Ummah party is led by Mohammed Miftah and some of its leaders are defectors from al Haq party. Miftah said that the party “emerges from the blood of the nation and comes from the people to the people.” Al Houthi supporters were present at the announcement and a cable from al Houthi leader Abdul Malik al Houthi was read aloud at the event.

Yemeni troops attacked al Qaeda-linked militants in eastern and northern outskirts of Zinjibar city. A military source reported that the troops were backed by the Yemeni Air Force. Four Yemen soldiers were killed and ten others were injured in the fighting. A government official said that six militants were killed and eight others injured in the attack. A military source reported that over 20 militants were killed.

Islamic militants, believed to be al Qaeda-linked, raided an Aden hotel on January 4. The hotel, the Layali Dubai (Dubai Nights), allegedly served alcohol to guests in Sanafir neighborhood in Aden city. Gunmen opened fire in the hotel and then set fire to the building. Two people were killed and at least 15 were injured in the attack.

Kennan Khatib contributed to the research behind this update.