Al-Houta residents celebrate al-Qaeda ouster

Residents of the Shabwa province city of al-Houta told Al-Mashareq they welcomed the Shabwa elite forces, who recently succeeded in driving al-Qaeda elements from the area.

On November 10th, Shabwa elite forces, trained by the UAE, stormed the south-eastern city and established fixed security and military positions there.

"The operation to seize the city of al-Houta was carried out with the aim of attacking al-Qaeda elements in the city, as it is one of the group's main strongholds," said Shabwa elite forces commander Brig. Gen. Khaled al-Azmi.

The elite forces will continue to purge the city and its hinterland of al-Qaeda remnants, "whatever the sacrifices they have to make", he told Al-Mashareq.

During the push to retake the city, one officer of the elite forces was killed and about 20 soldiers were injured during clashes with al-Qaeda, al-Azmi said.

After entering al-Houta, the elite forces raided the homes of a number of al-Qaeda elements, killing half a dozen of them in the ensuing clashes, he said.

The forces also arrested more than 18 al-Qaeda elements, he added.

The operation to purge Shabwa province of al-Qaeda came in the aftermath of terrorist attacks and suicide operations the group had staged against Security Belt forces in Rudum district and other areas, al-Azmi said.

In recent months, the Shabwa elite forces deployed in parts of Shabwa where al-Qaeda had a presence, he said, noting that "al-Houta residents welcomed us and were helpful in the targeting and arrest of a number of elements".

'A turning point towards security'

The entry of the elite forces into al-Houta marked a "turning point towards security and stability", said director general of Mayfaa district Abdullah Ateq.

"Calm prevails among the residents of al-Houta in general, who welcomed the elite forces, as they have awaited their entry into the city for months," he told Al-Mashareq.

"The manifestations of normal life began to gradually return to the city after the entry of the elite forces," he added.

Residents have been yearning for security, stability and the resumption of services, he said, noting that in recent days, some water and electricity facilities have resumed operations, which has helped to stabilise the situation.

The UAE Red Crescent has provided al-Houta with humanitarian aid and with materials needed to repair water and electricity facilities, along with diesel to operate them, Ateq said.

"People are tired of the instability caused by al-Qaeda," Mayfaa local council secretary-general Yaslam Bajnoub told Al-Mashareq.

The elite forces will help to enforce security and restart development projects to serve residents once again, he said, adding that their arrival in al-Houta has been welcomed by the local population.

Private sector employee Amjad Mohammed told Al-Mashareq the arrival of the elite forces "will enhance security and stability", as well as pave the way for job creation and a revival of the city's economic life.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Jamal Bin Attaf, a tribal leader from the city of Yafaa, posted a video on social media that shows al-Houta residents giving a grand welcome to the elite forces.