The command of the coalition forces to support the legitimacy in Yemen announced launching a joint military operation against al-Qaeda in Yemen. The operation's participants include the Yemeni army and elements of Saudi and United Arab Emirates special forces. The coalition command said in a statement today that the operation resulted in its first hours in the killing of more than 800 elements of Al-Qaeda and a number of their leaders and that the rest of them fled. The statement added that this comes as part of the joint international efforts to defeat the terrorist groups in Yemen and support the Yemeni legitimate government to extend its influence and control over the Yemeni cities that fell under the control of Al-Qaeda the most important of which is the city of Al Mukalla which is considered the stronghold of the organization. The operations aim at clearing it and help the legitimacy to extend its control over it and over the rest of the Yemeni cities. The statement added that this process will allow intensifying humanitarian relief efforts in those cities and alleviate suffering of the brotherly people of Yemen. The countries participating in this operation emphasizes their continuation of chasing the terrorist organizations in all Yemeni cities, defeating them and depriving them from safe haven till the return of security and stability to the region.
