Yemen was carrying out airstrikes and a ground campaign Sunday
against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in the southern part of the nation,
according to a government official.

"Yemen's security forces have been in engaged in a ground and air
campaign for two days in Abyan province against al Qaeda," said the official,
who is not authorized to speak to the press about the campaign. The official
said the battle is fierce and bloody and is part of a larger low-intensity
conflict with AQAP.

The airstrikes began on Saturday and were continuing on Sunday, the
official said. "This is no doubt in retaliation to an attempt by al Qaeda in
the Arabian Peninsula to kill the governor and junior regional security
officials this past week."

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