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Yemen’s military claims to have made progress against al Qaeda-linked militants in Abyan; however, militants remain in control of Zinjibar, Jaar, and other seized towns in south Yemen. Fighting has resumed in Taiz, where opposition tribesmen control parts of the city.
Yemeni soldiers and al Qaeda-linked militants fought in Zinjibar. Six soldiers were killed and three others were injured in the clashes. Thirteen militants were killed. Military officials report that the militants had retreated farther into Zinjibar city, abandoning positions in Kod. An overnight air raid in Zinjibar killed at least ten militants. A defense ministry official reported that 12 militants were killed in air raids in Shaqra and al Arqub, east of Zinjibar. In Lawder, tribesmen arrested a would-be suicide bomber.
Clashes broke out in Taiz between Yemeni troops and opposition tribesmen. Tribal sources report that tribesmen attacked a Republican Guard checkpoint along Siteen Street. The Republican Guard responded by shelling villages in al Humayra, which is north of the city.
The General People’s Congress (GPC), Yemen’s ruling party, will meet to discuss a UN roadmap negotiated in July. The roadmap includes the transition of power from President Ali Abdullah Saleh to his deputy, Vice President Abdul Rab Mansour al Hadi, the formation of a reconciliation government, restructuring of the military, and preparation for a presidential election.
A resolution to the political crisis in the capital will not end the fragmentation of the Yemeni state, which remains at risk of a broader armed conflict. The current situation has increased al Qaeda's operating space in Yemen.