Abyan campaign explained

Partof:the Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)
and the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Date:26 March – 11 August 2015
Place:Abyan Governorate, Yemen
Result:Coalition victory
Combatant1: Supreme Political Council[1]
Combatant2: Cabinet of Yemen

Supported by:

Combatant3: AQAP
Commander1:Abdul Nasser al-Junaidi[3]
Commander2: Ali Mohsen Al Ahmar
Commander3: Abu Hamza al-Zinjibari[4]
Abu al Zinad al Abyani[5]
Units1: 15th Armored Brigade Houthi fighters
Units2: 111th Infantry Brigade
Units3: AQAP fighters
Strength1: 200 soldiers
100 Houthi fighters
Strength2: 600 soldiers
400 popular committee fighters
Strength3: 600 fighters
Casualties1:49 killed
Casualties2:31 killed[6]
Casualties3:unknown

The Abyan campaign was a 2015 campaign for control of the Abyan Governorate of Yemen, between the Houthis and Yemen Army units loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh on one side, and militiamen and Yemen Army units loyal to Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi on the other side, supported by jihadists of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.[4] The pro-Hadi forces recaptured the Abyan Governorate on 11 August 2015, after launching an offensive on pro-Houthi forces in early August.[7]

The campaign

On 26 March 2015, the 15th Armored Brigade, based in Lawdar, announced their support for the Houthis. In turn, the 111th Infantry Brigade, based in the Ahwar District, joined forces with pro-Hadi troops five days later. In addition, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) pledged to fight alongside pro-Hadi forces against the Houthis but clarified they were not loyal to Hadi.[4]

On 27 March, Houthi and allied army forces seized the city of Shuqrah on the Arabian Sea. The takeover gave them control of all land entries to Aden and completed their encirclement of the city where a battle was underway.[8] However, warplanes from the Saudi-led coalition began to bedevil the Houthis as they moved their heavy armour and vehicles toward Aden, with airstrikes halting a convoy from Shuqrah early on 28 March.[9]

On 29 March, pro-Houthi troops captured Zinjibar, the provincial capital and a center for pro-Hadi forces in the governorate. 20 people were killed during the takeover.[10] Heavy clashes took place between tribal fighters and Houthi-allied soldiers occupying a military camp and adjacent football field in the city, which was bombed twice by the Coalition.[11]

On 3 April, Houthi forces entered the districts of Jaar, Lawdar and Shuqrah. Pro-Hadi military sources claimed that the 111th Infantry Brigade had cut off supplies to the Houthis and their allies on 7 April, but a source in the pro-Houthi 15th Armored Brigade said they had supplies still coming from the Al Bayda Governorate to the north.[4] Sustained fighting took place during the day in Lawdar,[12] while pro-Hadi forces reportedly besieged the base of the pro-Houthi army brigade.[13]

On 25 April, at least 29 pro-Houthi fighters were killed in attacks throughout the province, according to an official.[14]

On 8 August, Pro-Hadi forces launched an offensive to retake the city of Zinjibar from Houthi militias after the pro-government forces retook Jaʿār and Lawdar.[15]

On 10 August, Pro-Hadi forces had retaken the provincial capital Zinjibar after just two days of fighting Houthi militias in the city, they will continue the offensive to retake the city of Shuqrah.[16] On 11 August, Pro-Hadi forces had recaptured the entire Abyan Governorate.[17]

Notes and References

  1. News: Houthi Who?. Foreign Affairs. Asher. Orkaby. 25 March 2015. 25 March 2015.
  2. Web site: Anti-Houthi fighters seize districts in central and southern Yemen. 10 August 2015.
  3. Web site: مقتل المشرف السابق للحوثيين في محافظة أبين خلال مواجهات البيضاء وسط اليمن - اخبار اليمن . 2018-05-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180701194145/https://www.yemenakhbar.com/1444027 . 2018-07-01 . dead.
  4. Web site: Fighting in Abyan governorate continues as anti-Houthi forces advance. Yemen Times. 9 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150411003945/http://www.yementimes.com/en/1875/news/5041/Fighting-in-Abyan-governorate-continues-as-anti-Houthi-forces-advance.htm. 11 April 2015. dead.
  5. Web site: Yemen Situation Report.
  6. Web site: South Yemen clashes wound senior officials. 11 August 2015. Alarabiya News. 22 June 2023.
  7. Web site: South Yemen clashes wound senior officials. Al Arabiya. 11 August 2015. 11 August 2015.
  8. News: Reuters. Yemen Houthi forces gain first foothold on Arabian Sea - residents. 27 March 2015. 27 March 2015. Noah. Browning.
  9. News: Diplomats and U.N. staff flee Yemen as Houthis target Aden. Reuters. 28 March 2015. 28 March 2015.
  10. Web site: Gulf of Aden Security Review - March 30, 2015 - Critical Threats. 9 April 2015.
  11. News: Diplomats and U.N. staff flee Yemen as Houthis target Aden. Reuters UK. 29 March 2015. 9 April 2015. Mukhashaf. Sami Aboudi.
  12. News: U.S. expedites arms shipments to coalition bombing Yemen. Reuters UK. 7 April 2015. 9 April 2015.
  13. Web site: Yemen clashes kill more than 140 as aid delayed - News. Jamaica Observer. 9 April 2015. 7 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190407204121/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Yemen-clashes-kill-more-than-140-as-aid-delayed_18708212. dead.
  14. http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=278606 63 killed, dozens wounded in fighting, airstrikes in southern Yemen
  15. Web site: Yemen pro-govt forces launch offensive. Al Arabiya. 8 August 2015. 8 August 2015.
  16. Web site: Yemeni Popular Resistance forces tighten grip on south. Al Arabiya. 10 August 2015. 10 August 2015.
  17. Web site: Yemen's loyalist forces push Houthi rebels from Abyan . 2015-08-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150927142407/https://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/yemens-loyalist-forces-push-houthis-aden-093948820--spt.html . 2015-09-27 . dead.