A branch of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has seized an army base in the southern Yemeni town of Baihan, in Shabwa province, reports AFP.
Members of Ansar al-Sharia, Yemen’s main al-Qaeda faction, raided the 19th Infantry Brigade, leaving at least seven people dead, including three soldiers, an official told AFP.
Ansar al-Sharia claimed the attack over their Twitter account, justifying their actions by accusing the attacked troops of having links to the Shiite Houthi militia that recently took control of Yemen.
They also published photos of a black and white al-Qaeda flag being flown over the camp, as well as photos of allegedly captured soldiers.
AQAP is considered to be one of the most deadly terrorist organizations in the world. They claimed responsibility for the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris earlier this year that left twelve people dead.
Source: albawaba
