Abyan (South24) 

A military source told "South24" that a soldier was killed and eight others were wounded in two attacks by AQAP, the first attack carried out by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that targeted the Southern forces in Abyan governorate (east of Aden) and another attack using machine weapons.

The source said that an explosive device planted by AQAP in the "Omran" area of Mudiyah district, central Abyan, exploded in conjunction with the advance of the Southern forces.

The explosion killed one of the soldiers accompanying the commander of Abyan military axis Brigadier General Mukhtar al-Nubi. The explosion comes less than two days after the killing and wounding of 18 other soldiers when an explosive device exploded in Mudiyah.

The Southern forces spokesperson Captain Mohammad Al-Naqib said in a statement to "South24": "The techniques of spreading and camouflaging IEDs by AQAP in Abyan are the same as those used by the Houthis."

The AQAP-affiliate Ansar al-Sharia announced yesterday a military operation against the Southern forces in Abyan governorate, under the name of "Arrows of Righteousness", in response to the "Arrows of the East" operation.

Read More: Abyan: 18 Southern Forces Killed and Wounded by AQAP Explosive Devices

Regarding the extremist organization's statement, Al-Naqib said that the statement "used the same words used by the Houthis and the Islah. He said that his operation would confront the UAE-Zionist project."

The joint Southern forces continue their operations in the central Abyan regions, which are considered one of the most strategic areas for AQAP in South Yemen.

Today, the Southern forces managed to enter "Wadi Omran", AQAP main stronghold in Mudiyah district of Abyan, according to the STC.