Al Qaeda gains ground in Yemen

Al-Qaeda on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a weekend assault on a military base in southern Yemen, which killed nearly 200 soldiers. It was the bloodiest battle in a year of turmoil in the country.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council was told the terrorist organization has gained ground in the country during its political crisis.

Jamal Benomar, the UN Secretary-General’s special advisor for the country, warned about “alarming developments” in the south of the country, including the occupation of strategic territory by Al Qaeda.
“This is a stark reminder for all the Yemenis that there are security challenges that they will have to address during this period,” he told reporters after the briefing. “It is in this context that many Yemenis are talking now about security sector reform. They are talking about coming together to address these issues. It is clear that the State’s authority has collapsed in a number of areas around the country. There has been a security vacuum that is being filled now by a number of armed groups and one of them is Al Qaeda in Yemen and other associated groups. This is a serious challenge.”

He also warned of a growing humanitarian crisis in the country, where 6.8 million people have been left without enough food during the political crisis.

He said some 3 million people are in need of immediate assistance and he urged international donors to help the Arab world's poorest country at this time of need.

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