New Chapter of Violence between Yemen's Secessionists and Al-Qaeda Begins

Al-Qaeda operatives in Southern Yemen have lately intensified their attacks on forces affiliated with the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council. The latest deadly assault today, Thursday, August 10, marks the start of a violent chapter between the two sides in southern Yemen amidst the continued fragility and fragmentation of the Yemeni government. The declining power of the UN-recognized government in Yemen has created a conducive environment for the proliferation of militant groups, including the secessionist fighters, Al-Qaeda, and the Houthi group. As militant movements increase, chaos and fighting expand in Yemen. The ongoing fight between Al-Qaeda and the separatists is a case in point. 

Abdullatif al-Sayyid, the commander of the Security Belt Forces in Abyan province, was killed on Thursday, August 10, in a roadside bomb in Mudiyah district of Abyan, where Al-Qaeda militants and secessionist fighters have repeatedly clashed over the past months. 

The head of the STC, Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, appointed Sayyed as the commander of the security belt forces in Abyan one week back. Sayyid began a large-scale campaign against Al-Qaeda in remote areas of Abyan province. 

In early Thursday, the STC fighters began an operation to storm an Al-Qaeda camp in "Wadi Jenin" of Mudiya district in Abyan, according to the spokesperson of the STC forces, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad al-Naqeeb. 

Al-Naqeeb said the explosive device was planted by the "terrorist organization", and Sayyed was among the commanders who led the operation to raid the camps of the "terrorist" militants. 

Al-Qaeda considered the death of Sayyid as a victory, and it claimed responsibility for the attack through its online platforms. 

The STC's presidency confirmed Sayyid's death in a statement on Thursday, pledging that the battle against "terrorist" militants is not over. The STC's mourning statement said, "We will not back down from fighting this battle until we eradicate this outlandish scourge."

One week ago, a suspected Al-Qaeda attack killed five soldiers in Wadi Omran in Abyan, and another suspected Al-Qaeda assault killed two soldiers at a military checkpoint in the southern province of Shabwa.

Who is Abdullatif al-Sayyid?

Sayyid belongs to Abyan province and occupied different roles throughout his life. He was a leading member of Al-Qaeda group, and he defected from it in 2012. When former president Abdurabbo Mansour Hadi came to power in 2012, he became the head of the pro-government popular committees in Abyan. 

In 2015, the Saudi-led Arab coalition began a military campaign in support of the Yemeni government against the Houthis, who took over several Yemeni provinces. After months of fighting in 2015, Houthis were driven from Aden and other southern areas. 

The secessionist presence began to expand after the Houthi defeat in the south, thanks to the Emirati financial and military support. Sayyid became a separatist commander and took part in battles to deepen the secessionist hold of Abyan. He died at 39 in the hand of Al-Qaeda group, with which he began his war experience.