A Yemeni official and tribal sources said that fighters of al-Qaeda fighters have taken control again in three towns in the Abyan province south of the country.

The security official said that the withdrawal of the security forces from these areas was a protest following the delayed payment of salaries, which facilitated the entry of fighters into Lauder, Shukrah and Aked areas in Abyan.

The official added that the security forces are suffering from a shortage of resources, especially weapons, to confront the enemies. Sources said that al-Qaeda fighters set up checkpoints on the streets in Lauder and blew up two security buildings using explosives.

This comes as warships, believed to be American, bombed strongholds of al-Qaeda in the mountainous area south of the country.

The source confirmed that the ships fired several missiles towards al-Marakichah mountain where al-Qaeda elements are stationed.

The strikes come less than a week after a secret raid carried out by the US Navy special operations in southern Yemen in the framework of a fierce campaign against one of the most active branches of al-Qaeda.

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 14:00 - GMT 11:00