Aden, September 1: The Yemeni government announced on Tuesday that Abu Huzaifa al-Ansari, the official spokesman for the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization, was killed during a joint anti-terror operation. This operation involved Yemeni security forces and special forces from a Saudi-led coalition.
According to the state television channel Saba, the primary objective of the operation was to capture al-Ansari alive; however, he was killed during the action.
Reports indicate that the Saudi-led coalition’s special forces collaborated with Yemen’s 22nd Counter-Terrorism Unit in this operation. However, the agency did not disclose the location or other operational details of the mission.
Local military sources reported that the raid took place around 1:30 AM on Monday in the southeastern Hadramaut province’s Sayun city. Security forces targeted an old mud house in the Al-Houta area, where al-Ansari was staying.
Sources revealed that al-Ansari was captured after being injured during the operation but later succumbed to his wounds. Another individual present in the house was also killed during the raid. Drones were utilized in the operation.
Residents reported hearing several explosions during the raid in Sayun city.
Terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and IS have maintained their presence in Yemen’s southern and eastern regions, exploiting the ongoing conflict and instability.
Meanwhile, the Yemeni government claimed that its navy intercepted four explosive-laden boats belonging to Houthi rebels that were heading towards government-controlled islands near international maritime routes in the Red Sea.
According to the state news agency Saba, the boats were en route to the strategic Hanish and Zuqar islands, which the Yemeni navy intercepted mid-journey. Military sources noted that Houthi boat activities were also recorded on Sunday and Monday. However, the Houthi group has yet to respond to these claims.
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