Suicide Bomber Claims Lives of 12 Yemeni Soldiers in Abyan

A suicide bomber killed 12 Yemeni soldiers at a military post in Abyan's Mudiyah district. The Southern Transitional Council reported the attack, which bore hallmarks of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The region has seen heightened AQAP activity amid ongoing conflicts.

A suicide bomber killed 12 Yemeni soldiers in Abyan's Mudiyah district this morning, authorities revealed.

The attacker drove a booby-trapped car into a security forces site, according to Mohamed al-Naqib, a spokesperson for the Southern Transitional Council.

No group has claimed responsibility yet, but Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is suspected due to its increased attacks on military facilities in Yemen. The ongoing conflict between the Houthi group and the Saudi-backed coalition has provided AQAP with opportunities to strengthen its influence in the region.

The Southern Transitional Council, allied with the Saudi coalition and controlling large southern territories, has intensified its offensive against al-Qaeda elements in Abyan over the past year. Despite years of crackdowns by various forces, AQAP remains resilient, using Yemen's chaos, tribal support, and vast territories to its advantage.

(With inputs from agencies.)