ADEN, Yemen, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Three soldiers were killed in a predawn attack on the headquarters of pro-government security forces in Yemen's southern Abyan province on Tuesday, a security official told Xinhua.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a group of heavily armed militants attacked the security forces headquarters in Lawdar district using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) before storming the compound, triggering fierce clashes with stationed security personnel.
"Initial reports indicate that three soldiers were killed, while several others were injured and some remain missing," the official said, adding that the attackers briefly overran parts of the headquarters before security forces retook control.
Local residents told Xinhua that several masked gunmen arrived on motorbikes and launched a coordinated strike using RPGs and other weapons, before fleeing as clashes escalated. Government reinforcements were deployed shortly after to secure the compound and push the attackers to retreat.
In response, Yemeni Interior Minister Ibrahim Haidan ordered all security units in government-controlled provinces to their highest state of alert.
In a statement, Haidan called for stronger coordination among security units, the armed forces and other relevant agencies to confront security threats and prevent further attacks.
Yemen has been engulfed in civil conflict since late 2014, when the Houthi group seized control of large parts of the country, including the capital Sanaa, prompting the internationally recognized government to relocate.
Frontline clashes have significantly declined since April 2022 following the announcement of a United Nations-mediated truce, though the broader political settlement remains unresolved. ■
