Yemen rolls out joint Hadramaut security plan

Joint Yemeni forces have rolled out a comprehensive security plan in the Hadramaut provincial capital of al-Mukalla and neighbouring towns along the southern coast to fortify these areas against attacks by armed groups.

The plan, designed to thwart the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) and al-Qaeda, is being implemented by 2nd military region units and intelligence personnel, 2nd region commander Maj. Gen. Faraj Salmeen told Al-Shorfa.

These are the same forces that successfully expelled al-Qaeda from al-Mukalla and its surrounding areas, he said, ending one year of al-Qaeda control.

The plan is based on a network of military outposts and security checkpoints in and around al-Mukalla that focuses on "strengthening protection of government and economic facilities including the port and the airport", he said.

Joint efforts to maintain security

The new plan is supported by other security agencies, which have collectively succeeded in foiling a number of car bomb attacks and arresting extremist fighters and sleeper cells, Salmeen said, and by the efforts of the general public.

"Individual co-operation, alertness and assistance to army and security personnel can help to ensure the success of the security plan," he said.

The security forces are able to fulfill their task, he said, adding that the 2nd military region maintains reserve troops in the area and is ready to supply reinforcements should the need arise.

He praised the coalition forces for their "tremendous support" in driving al-Qaeda from al-Mukalla and their help in re-establishing security.

The security situation is much improved due to the involvement of all relevant bodies, led by the 2nd military region, in hunting down al-Qaeda elements, said Mohamed ibn Ziyad, secretary general of al-Mukalla's local council.

This is being accomplished through the arrest of suspects and the strengthening of the security cordon around Hadramaut, he told Al-Shorfa.

Blocking attempted terror attacks

The new security plan has so far succeeded in preventing further terror attacks in the aftermath of the deadly May 15th attack on police recruits, political analyst Adnan al-Humairi told Al-Shorfa.

The logistical and intelligence support coalition forces provided to help foil terror plots has been instrumental in preventing attacks, he said.

The people of Hadramaut also have been critical to the plan's success, he added, as they seek the return of state authority and an end to the control of armed groups and have been co-operating with the security agencies.

"The armed forces and security agencies have been exerting enormous efforts to prevent ISIL and al-Qaeda from targeting civilians in order to score media victories," al-Humairi said.

These groups aim to kill scores of civilians for the purpose of creating a media stir, he said, adding that "these armed groups kill in the name of Islam, when Islam’s [central tenet] is the prohibition of bloodshed without just cause".