Details remain vague after four more US strikes against AQAP in Yemen

The US military has conducted at least four more strikes against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in the last two months, according to data acquired by FDD’s Long War Journal. But US Central Command (CENTCOM) has still not released details on any strikes against AQAP in Yemen in 2017.

FDD’s Long War Journal has twice inquired with CENTCOM about strikes against AQAP in Yemen in 2017. In mid-Sepember, CENTCOM told us the number was “more than 100.” Yesterday, CENTCOM told us the number was “more than 110,” six of which were conducted against the Islamic State.

The locations of the 2017 strikes against AQAP also remain undisclosed. In 2016, the plurality of US strikes against AQAP occurred in the Shabwah (17 strikes) and Al Bayda (10 strikes) governorates.

CENTCOM has, however, published details from strikes targeting the Islamic State in Yemen. US forces have targeted the Islamic State in Al Bayda province six times, the first of which occurred on Oct. 16, 2017.

Alexandra Gutowski is a military affairs analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

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from Long War Journal – FDD's Long War Journal http://ift.tt/2AV7Ja7
via Defense News