Battle of Zinjibar (2011–2012)

{{Main|Yemeni revolution}}

Beginning in January 2011, the Yemeni revolution caused widespread unrest across Yemen as protestors demanded the resignation of longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh. After numerous high-ranking army generals defected to the opposition in late March, threats of a conflict between the pro and anti-Saleh factions of the military brew. Saleh redeployed most army personnel and US-trained counterterrorism forces stationed in other locations, including in southern Yemen, to the capital of Sanaa and other urban areas in order to maintain control of the situation.{{Cite web |last=Craig |first=Iona |date=2011-04-01 |title=Amid region's unrest, al-Qaeda makes inroads in Yemen |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-04-01-yemen01_ST_N.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728022630/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-04-01-yemen01_ST_N.htm |archive-date=2011-07-28 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=USA Today}}{{Cite web |last=Al-Haj |first=Ahmed |last2=Gamel |first2=Kim |date=2011-04-10 |title=Islamic enclave in Yemen shows militant risk |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna42522191 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=NBC News |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}

AQAP's traditional strongholds are positioned in southern Yemen, including Abyan Governorate, where it took refuge in the rugged, mountainous terrain.{{Cite news |last=Arrabyee |first=Nasser |last2=Kasinof |first2=Laura |date=2011-05-29 |title=Islamists Seize a Yemeni City, Stoking Fears |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/30/world/middleeast/30yemen.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617074106/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/30/world/middleeast/30yemen.html |archive-date=2022-06-17 |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news |last=Raghavan |first=Sudarsan |date=2011-06-13 |title=Militants linked to al-Qaeda emboldened in Yemen |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/militants-linked-to-al-qaeda-emboldened-in-yemen/2011/06/12/AG88nISH_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206153251/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/militants-linked-to-al-qaeda-emboldened-in-yemen/2011/06/12/AG88nISH_story.html |archive-date=2019-12-06 |access-date=2025-04-03 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} Prior to the revolution, AQAP had never attempted to control and administer terrority, instead remaining in their remote hideouts.{{Cite news |last=Abdul-Ahad |first=Ghaith |date=2012-04-30 |title=Al-Qaida's wretched utopia and the battle for hearts and minds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/apr/30/alqaida-yemen-jihadis-sharia-law |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} However, the government's preoccupation with the protests left several areas of the country, particularly the south, in a state of lawlessness and vulnerability, allowing for it to exploit the security gap.{{Cite web |date=2012-06-05 |title=Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula: Yemen's Ambitious Jihadists, Part 2 |url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-yemens-ambitious-jihadists-part-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210426023043/https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-yemens-ambitious-jihadists-part-2 |archive-date=2021-04-26 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Stratfor}} In late March, Islamist militants raided the town of Jaar, sparking brief clashes with soldiers before they fled their posts and retreated to the nearby Zinjibar, allowing for the city to be seized.{{Cite web |last=Mukhashaf |first=Mohammed |date=2011-03-28 |title=Blasts at Yemen bullet factory kill at least 110 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us/blasts-at-yemen-bullet-factory-kill-at-least-110-idUSTRE72R2YJ/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Reuters}}{{Cite web |last=Coombs |first=Casey L. |date=2012-05-09 |title=Hot Issue — The Ansar al-Shari’a Insurgency in Southern Yemen: The View from the Ground |url=https://jamestown.org/program/hot-issue-the-ansar-al-sharia-insurgency-in-southern-yemen-the-view-from-the-ground/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=The Jamestown Foundation |language=en-US}} By the end of the month, AQAP had declared an "Islamic Emirate of Abyan",{{Cite web |last=Wyler |first=Grace |date=2011-03-31 |title=Al Qaeda Declares Southern Yemeni Province An "Islamic Emirate" |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/al-qaeda-declares-southern-yemeni-province-an-islamic-emirate-2011-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819212045/http://www.businessinsider.com/al-qaeda-declares-southern-yemeni-province-an-islamic-emirate-2011-3 |archive-date=2011-08-19 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} and had made Jaar its capital and a staging ground for its activities.

Ansar al-Sharia was first mentioned by an AQAP cleric in April 2011, identifying it as an alternate name for the group to attract locals. The Royal United Services Institute identified Ansar al-Sharia's members as being "disgruntled tribal militia with former Afghan-Arab mujahideen and disaffected Yemeni youth."{{Cite web |last=Benedict |first=Wilkinson |date=2012-05-25 |title=What is the link between Ansar al-Sharia and Al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula? |url=https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/what-link-between-ansar-al-sharia-and-al-qaida-arabian-peninsula |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Royal United Services Institute |language=en}}

An estimated force of 300 militants led the initial capture of Zinjibar in May 2011. Some reports describe those fighters as belonging to local tribes, though others detailed hundreds of foreign fighters among them. The leader of Ansar al-Sharia, Jalal Baleedi, was also present in the city during its capture and was identified as a former resident.{{Cite web |last=Carlino |first=Ludovico |date=2012-07-05 |title=Are Yemen’s Ansar al-Shari’a and AQAP One and the Same? |url=https://jamestown.org/program/are-yemens-ansar-al-sharia-and-aqap-one-and-the-same/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=The Jamestown Foundation |language=en-US}}

Many fighters from Jaar arrived to Zinjibar prior to tribal forces seizing the entrances to the city in July, when an estimated 700 militants were present. Residents described hundreds of Islamists entering the town after its capture in order to join the militants in June. Many fighters had come from other areas of Yemen including Marib, Shabwah, Saada and al-Jawf governorates.{{Cite news |last=François-Xavier |first=Trégan |date=2011-07-25 |title=Chassés par la poussée des djihadistes, les Yéménites affluent en masse à Aden |trans-title=Driven out by the push of jihadists, Yemenis flock en masse to Aden |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/proche-orient/article/2011/07/25/chasses-par-la-poussee-des-djihadistes-les-yemenites-affluent-en-masse-a-aden_1552518_3218.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250523215105/https://www.lemonde.fr/proche-orient/article/2011/07/25/chasses-par-la-poussee-des-djihadistes-les-yemenites-affluent-en-masse-a-aden_1552518_3218.html |archive-date=2025-05-23 |access-date=2025-05-24 |work=Le Monde |language=fr}} Small numbers of foreign fighters were also present in the town,{{Cite web |date=2011-07-09 |title=Yemen: Dozens of Civilians Killed in Southern Fighting |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2011/07/09/yemen-dozens-civilians-killed-southern-fighting |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}} including Egyptians, Sudanese, Somalis, Pakistanis, Saudis, Iraqis and Syrians. By the end of 2011, estimates of Ansar al-Sharia fighters present in Zinjibar ranged from 700 to 1,000.

The militants were extremely disciplined and had a clear military plan, moving in highly organized cells. A resident noted that fighters were distributed throughout the city in groups of 15.{{Cite web |last=Samir |first=Hassan |date=2011-06-17 |title=أنصار الشريعة بأبين والقاعدة |trans-title=Ansar al-Sharia in Abyan and al-Qaeda |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2011/6/17/%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A9 |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Al Jazeera Arabic |language=ar}} Al Khaleej reported that, from at least January to March 2012, the militants utilized a strategy of behaving passively during the day but intensifying clashes during the night, launching surprise attacks on army barracks on the outskirts of Zinjibar.{{Cite web |date=2012-03-11 |title=زنجبار مدينة أشباح "القاعدة" في قلبها والجيش على تخومها |trans-title=Zinjibar is a ghost town with Al-Qaeda at its heart and the army on its outskirts. |url=https://www.alkhaleej.ae/node/767008 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=Al Khaleej |language=ar}} As government forces pushed deeper into Zinjibar and Ansar al-Sharia suffered more losses, by May 2012 the militants had adopted a guerilla strategy.{{Cite web |date=2012-05-30 |title=Al-Qaida changes tactics in Yemen |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2012/05/30/Al-Qaida-changes-tactics-in-Yemen/69541338384175/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=UPI |language=en}} Ansar al-Sharia's ability to move in small cells and 'never hold out in one place' created difficulty for the Yemeni Army in confronting them. The group's fighters 'know the area very well … and take advantage of the dense trees to move surreptitiously' according to a military officer.{{Cite web |date=2012-06-05 |title=Yemeni forces step up fight with al-Qaeda |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/6/5/yemeni-forces-step-up-fight-with-al-qaeda |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

An Ansar al-Sharia-affiliated media outlet claimed that the group seized 'heavy artillery pieces, modern anti-aircraft weapons, a number of tanks and armored transports in addition to large quantities of different kinds of ammunition' from deserting security forces during the capture of Zinjibar. Militants were equipped with mortars, snipers, machine guns, Katyusha-type rockets, rocket-propelled grenades and Strela missile launchers among other weapons during the battle. They utilized machine gun technicals and operated at least two T-62 tanks stolen from the military, though their effectiveness was negligible before they were destroyed by government airstrikes.{{Cite news |last=Ghosh |first=Bobby |date=2012-07-25 |title=Where Terrorists Have Tanks: A Ride Through al-Qaeda Country |url=https://world.time.com/2012/07/25/where-terrorists-have-tanks-a-ride-through-al-qaeda-country/ |access-date=2025-05-18 |work=Time |language=en-US |issn=0040-781X}}

Three military brigades were involved in the bulk of the fighting in Zinjibar; the 25th Mechanized Brigade, the 201st Mechanized Brigade and the 119th Infantry Brigade. The strength of the 25th Mechanized Brigade by June 2011 was numbered at 2,000 soldiers. During a visit to the brigade's base in February 2012, Jeremy Scahill of The Nation wrote that the soldiers "look thin and haggard, many with long beards and tattered uniforms or no uniforms at all." In August 2011, the 31st Armoured Brigade sent soldiers to reinforce the front lines while the 39th Armoured Brigade began providing artillery support from its base in Dofas.

File:Ansar al-Sharia fighter with burning security vehicle in Zinjibar, May 2011.jpg

On 27 May, fighters from Ansar al-Sharia descended from the mountains outside Zinjibar and entered the city unopposed.{{Cite news |last=Almasmari |first=Hakim |last2=Coker |first2=Margaret |date=2011-05-29 |title=Yemen Unrest Spreads South |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303657404576353221982484868 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110601200846/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303657404576353221982484868.html |archive-date=2011-06-01 |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}{{Cite web |last=Boone |first=Jeb |date=2011-06-09 |title=Militants said to gain ground in south Yemen |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2011-jun-09-la-fg-yemen-qaeda-20110609-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329133457/https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2011-jun-09-la-fg-yemen-qaeda-20110609-story.html |archive-date=2023-03-29 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} Though a brief defense was mounted, the surprise attack caused chaos as security forces, including police officers and army soldiers, quickly abandoned their posts and fled the city.{{cite web |last=Jamjoom |first=Mohammed |last2=Almasmari |first2=Hakim |date=2011-05-30 |title=Islamic militants fight Yemen troops for control of city, locals say |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/05/29/yemen.unrest/index.html?hpt=T2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110012545/http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/05/29/yemen.unrest/index.html?hpt=T2 |archive-date=2012-11-10 |access-date=2014-12-14 |website=CNN}}{{Cite web |last=Al-Batati |first=Saeed |date=2011-05-30 |title=Al-Qaeda seizes Yemeni city |url=https://www.arabnews.pk/node/379065 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Arab News |language=en}} The militants had full control of the city by the end of the day,{{Cite web |date=2011-05-29 |title=‘Al-Qaeda fighters seize Yemeni city’ |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/5/29/al-qaeda-fighters-seize-yemeni-city |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} seizing all government buildings, freeing dozens of prisoners{{Cite web |date=2011-05-28 |title=Yemen Opposition Accuses President of Handing City to al-Qaida |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/al-qaida-militants-take-over-yemen-coastal-town-122794414/140041.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Voice of America |language=en}} and looting the central bank{{Cite news |last=Worth |first=Robert F. |date=2011-07-20 |title=Yemen on the Brink of Hell |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/magazine/yemen-on-the-brink-of-hell.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711124955/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/magazine/yemen-on-the-brink-of-hell.html |archive-date=2023-07-11 |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} while driving freely through the streets. The militants established checkpoints at the three main entrances to the city and in its suburbs.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-05-27 |title=Yemen: AQAP Seizes Government Buildings In Zinjibar - Official |url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/situation-report/yemen-aqap-seizes-government-buildings-zinjibar-official |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250509170259/https://worldview.stratfor.com/situation-report/yemen-aqap-seizes-government-buildings-zinjibar-official |archive-date=2025-05-09 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Stratfor}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-05-28 |title=زنجبار: اللواء 25 مدرع ينسحب إلى عدن والمسلحون يسيطرون على جميع المرافق الحكومية باستثناء مقر قيادته |trans-title=Zinjibar: The 25th Armored Brigade withdraws to Aden, and militants control all government facilities except its command headquarters |url=https://marebpress.org/news_details.php?lng=arabic&sid=34224 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=MarebPress}} By the next day, hundreds of militants were controlling Zinjibar's main streets and were calling on residents by loudspeaker to go out and reopen their shops.{{cite web |date=2011-05-29 |title=Suspected al Qaeda militants seize Yemeni town |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20110529-suspected-al-qaeda-militants-seize-yemeni-town-zinjibar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325131519/http://www.france24.com/en/20110529-suspected-al-qaeda-militants-seize-yemeni-town-zinjibar%20 |archive-date=2013-03-25 |access-date=2014-12-14 |work=France 24 |agency=Agence France-Presse}} The governor, the security chief, the head of an army brigade and other local officials had left the city.{{Cite news |last=Scahill |first=Jeremy |date=2012-02-15 |title=Washington's War in Yemen Backfires |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/washingtons-war-yemen-backfires/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226072124/https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/washingtons-war-yemen-backfires/ |archive-date=2025-02-26 |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=The Nation |language=en-US |issn=0027-8378}} Ansar al-Sharia further consolidated its control during the night, capturing six army tanks and several armoured military vehicles.{{cite web |date=2011-05-29 |title=Fighting heard in Yemen capital |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/fighting-heard-in-yemen-capital-1.1013267 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=CBC News |agency=Associated Press}}

The only army unit which remained to defend against the militants was the 25th Mechanized Brigade, based on the eastern side of Zinjibar. The militants proceeded to besiege the headquarters of the brigade in order to force it to surrender.{{Cite web |last=Jameh |first=Mohammed |date=2011-07-30 |title="We will not withdraw and will not give up our weapons to Al-Qaeda - Commander of Yemen's 25th Mechanized Brigade |url=http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=26076 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009175308/http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=26076 |archive-date=2011-10-09 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Asharq Al-Awsat}} On 29 May, the army had begun shelling the militants with artillery, and on 30 May the Yemeni Air Force began launching airstrikes on the city.{{Cite web |date=2011-05-30 |title=Yemen jets ‘bomb al-Qaeda-held city’ |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/5/30/yemen-jets-bomb-al-qaeda-held-city |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Residents estimated that 200 homes were destroyed by the air raids. Most of the city's residents had deserted the town by that time.{{Cite web |date=2011-05-31 |title=Civilians flee violence in the south |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2011/05/31/civilians-flee-violence-south |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=The New Humanitarian |language=en}}

Three brigades from Aden and Lahij Governorates were deployed to participate in the battle. Army forces advanced overnight towards Zinjibar in preparation to enter it on 7 June. Clashes followed at the gate to the city with both sides exchanging machine gun, mortar and artillery fire.{{Cite web |date=2011-06-07 |title=15 die in clashes in southern Yemen |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/15-die-in-clashes-in-southern-yemen-20110607-1fqnm.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403025601/https://www.smh.com.au/world/15-die-in-clashes-in-southern-yemen-20110607-1fqnm.html |archive-date=2025-04-03 |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |agency=Agence France-Presse}} Army forces failed to enter the city.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-06-07 |title=Yemen: 15 Dead In Clashes In Zinjibar |url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/situation-report/yemen-15-dead-clashes-zinjibar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250516050124/https://worldview.stratfor.com/situation-report/yemen-15-dead-clashes-zinjibar |archive-date=2025-05-16 |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=Stratfor}} On 11 June, Ansar al-Sharia attempted a raid on the base of the 25th Mechanized Brigade, though it was repelled and lead to the deaths of 18 militants and nine soldiers.{{Cite web |date=2011-06-12 |title=Yemeni forces in deadly clash with fighters |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/6/12/yemeni-forces-in-deadly-clash-with-fighters |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2011-06-11 |title=Army heroes destroy a weapons depot and two vehicles belonging to terrorists. 21 al-Qaeda terrorists were killed, including 18 in Zinjibar and 3 in Lawdar. |url=http://26sep.net/news_details.php?lng=arabic&sid=74447 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715235853/http://26sep.net/news_details.php?lng=arabic&sid=74447 |archive-date=2011-07-15 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=26 September |language=ar}} Gen. Sawmali later stated in an interview that the attack "represented the greatest attempt by al-Qaeda to gain control of the brigade. Following this, they continued to lay ambushes, target our men with snipers, and carry out intermittent light attacks, but not on the previous scale."

By 20 June, Ansar al-Sharia had dispersed its forces across three fronts in the region; one group was involved in besieging the 25th Mechanized Brigade in Zinjibar, another was fighting in the nearby area of Dofas along the Aden-Abyan road, while a separate group was sent to the al-Harour in Khanfar district along the Abyan-Lahij road. The 119th Infantry Brigade claimed that it had made significant progress in capturing parts of Dofas.{{Cite web |last=Hassan |first=Samir |date=2011-06-20 |title=مواجهات بأبين وخلل أمني بعدن |trans-title=Clashes in Abyan and security breaches in Aden |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2011/6/20/%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%84-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%86 |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Al Jazeera |language=ar}} However, days later it and the 201st Mechanized Brigade withdrew from Dofas and were pulled three kilometers away from the front lines into the outskirts of Aden. According to the military, the decision was a tactical move to remain in open territory and avoid heavy casualties as it had suffered during its advance in Dofas due to the militants setting up ambushes in the forests. The army was also establishing a security cordon around Aden in order to prevent a militant offensive.{{Cite web |last=Hassan |first=Samir |date=2011-06-23 |title=تعزيزات لمسلحي أبين وتمرد بعدن |trans-title=Reinforcements for Abyan militants and rebellion in Aden |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2011/6/23/%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%86 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Al Jazeera |language=ar}}{{Cite web |date=2011-06-21 |title=Battle for Zinjibar kills 100 Yemen troops: army |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g7paTirUFQiLAxeYtWx7Wo3KGJrQ?docId=CNG.fe5d63e7d970e3fe80cdc08d68ede32e.631 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615221202/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g7paTirUFQiLAxeYtWx7Wo3KGJrQ?docId=CNG.fe5d63e7d970e3fe80cdc08d68ede32e.631 |archive-date=2012-06-15 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Agence France-Presse}}

On the morning of 29 June,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-06-30 |title=أبين: الجيش يستعيد السيطرة على ملعب الوحدة ومقتل العشرات في مواجهات الجيش والقاعدة |trans-title=Abyan: The army regains control of Al-Wahda Stadium, and dozens are killed in clashes between the army and Al-Qaeda. |url=https://marebpress.com/news_details.php?lng=arabic&sid=34999 |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Mareb Press |language=ar}} a force of about 300 militants launched an assault on soldiers stationed the al-Wahda Stadium, approximately five miles east of Zinjibar.{{Cite web |last=Kasinof |first=Laura |date=2011-06-29 |title=Strategic Site Is Captured by Militants in Yemen |url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2011/06/30/strategic-site-is-captured-by-militants-in-yemen/31807141007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203041858/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/30/world/middleeast/30yemen.html |archive-date=2023-02-03 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}{{cite web |last=Almasmari |first=Hakim |date=2011-06-30 |title=35 Yemeni soldiers killed in clashes with militants, officials say |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/30/yemen.military.clashes/index.html?section=cnn_latest |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701014824/https://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/30/yemen.military.clashes/index.html |archive-date=2011-07-01 |access-date=2014-12-14 |website=CNN}} The stadium possessed significant strategic importance due to its proximity to the base of the 25th Mechanized Brigade, which was using it to store food and other provisions. Fighting over the day ended in the stadium's capture by Ansar al-Sharia, leaving at least 30 soldiers and 14 militants dead.{{Cite web |last= |date=2011-06-30 |title=South Yemen battles between army, Islamists kill 48 |url=https://en.antaranews.com/news/73258/south-yemen-battles-between-army-islamists-kill-48 |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Antara News |language=en |agency=Agence France-Presse}} The capture of the stadium exposed on two fronts the military's main staging ground for raids on Zinjibar.{{Cite web |date=2011-06-29 |title=More Than 26 Soldiers, 17 Militants Dead In Yemen |url=http://www.oregonherald.com/news/show-story.cfm?id=259098 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323095705/http://www.oregonherald.com/news/show-story.cfm?id=259098 |archive-date=2012-03-23 |access-date=2011-06-29 |website=Herald and News |agency=Reuters}}{{Cite web |last=Zimmerman |first=Katherine |date=2011-07-08 |title=Al Qaeda's Gains in South Yemen |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/al-qaedas-gains-in-south-yemen#_ednb83e908abec03e03bb81bec7b8078d4f10 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Critical Threats}} In response, the military launched a counteroffensive on 30 June, retaking the stadium during the day in clashes which left an additional five soldiers dead.

Fighting over the al-Wahda Stadium continued into July, resulting in the militants recapturing it and adjacent al-Saleh residential project{{Cite web |last=Al-Sabahi |first=Ahmed |date=2011-07-05 |title=تنظيم القاعدة في اليمن: السير نحو التًمدد والنفوذ |trans-title=Al-Qaeda in Yemen: The Path to Expansion and Influence |url=https://almasdaronline.com/article/21381 |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=Almasdar Online |language=ar}} by the beginning of the month.{{Cite web |date=2011-07-02 |title=نفي يمني لاعتقال ضباط |trans-title=Yemeni denial of arrest of officers |url=https://www.ajnet.me/news/2011/7/2/%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7 |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Al Jazeera |language=ar-EG}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-07-02 |title=50 Yemeni troops missing after battle with Islamic militants in lawless south |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2011/07/02/50-yemeni-troops-missing-after-battle-with-islamic-militants-in-lawless-south/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}} The militants proceeded to surround the 25th Mechanized Brigade base by 3 July. By this time, the brigade had ran out of water and fuel, and it was in dire need of supplies and reinforcements in order to continue fighting.{{Cite news |date=2011-07-04 |title=Yemen: Protesters seek action against al-Qaeda in Abyan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14017949 |access-date=2025-05-10 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} An army officer stated that clashes were occurring daily around the vicinity of the base.{{Cite web |last=Mukhashaf |first=Mohammed |date=2011-07-03 |title=Besieged South Yemen brigade appeals for help |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/besieged-south-yemen-brigade-appeals-for-help-idUSTRE7620VC/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Reuters}}

Despite military success across the region, Ansar al-Sharia was losing support from local tribes in Abyan due to the widespread displacement and destruction happening in Zinjibar. By mid-July, armed tribesmen in multiple Ansar al-Sharia-controlled Abyan towns were attempting to push out the militants.{{Cite web |last= |date=2011-07-17 |title=South Yemen tribes turn against Qaeda allies |url=https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2011/07/17/south-yemen-tribes-turn-against-qaeda-allies/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Daily News Egypt |language=en-US |agency=Agence France-Presse}} Tribal fighters announced that they had cut supply lines to Zinjibar on 13 July.{{Cite web |last=al-Mahdy |first=Khaled |date=2011-07-13 |title=Yemeni security forces, opposition clash in Taiz |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/13/us-yemen-clashes-idUSTRE76C5GM20110713/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Reuters}}

On 17 July, the Yemeni military launched an offensive in Zinjibar, with reinforcements including tanks, rocket launchers, and 500 soldiers, primarily from the 119th Infantry Brigade,{{Cite web |last=McGregor |first=Andrew |date=2011-08-12 |title=The Battle for Zinjibar: The Tribes of Yemen's Abyan Governorate Join the Fight against Islamist Militancy |url=https://jamestown.org/program/the-battle-for-zinjibar-the-tribes-of-yemens-abyan-governorate-join-the-fight-against-islamist-militancy/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=The Jamestown Foundation |language=en-US}} being sent to the city along with 450 pro-government tribal fighters.{{Cite web |date=2011-07-17 |title=Yemeni army attacks fighters around Zinjibar |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/7/17/yemeni-army-attacks-fighters-around-zinjibar |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Backed by heavy tank shelling and rocket attacks from naval ships off the coast, the government reinforcements moved in to lift the siege on the 25th Mechanized Brigade. Dozens were injured in clashes as army and tribal forces entered the city from the east. Clashes were also reported near the al-Wahda Stadium.{{Cite web |last=Mukhashaf |first=Mohammed |date=2011-07-17 |title=Yemen army, tribes in offensive on militants in south |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/yemen-army-tribes-in-offensive-on-militants-in-south-idUSTRE76G0HR/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Reuters}} By 20 July, the 119th Infantry Brigade was fighting overnight battles in the al-Khamila and Dio districts of western Zinjibar, as units from the 31st Armoured Brigade and the 119th Infantry Brigade were ambushed after reaching the Zinjibar Bridge from al-Kawd.{{Cite web |date=2011-07-21 |title=Yemeni al Qaeda leader killed in battle |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20110721-yemen-al-qaeda-leader-killed-battle-shabwani-soldiers-dead-aqap-army |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=France 24 |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} On 22 July, tribal forces secured the road from Shabwah Governorate to Shuqrah in Abyan, a main highway leading to Zinjibar.{{Cite web |date=2011-07-22 |title=Yemen tribes say they stop militant convoy in south |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE76L438/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Reuters}} By 25 July, the siege on the 25th Mechanized Brigade had been partially broken, though supplies were yet to have been delivered.{{Cite web |last=Ghobari |first=Mohammed |last2=Mukhashaf |first2=Mohammed |date=2011-07-25 |title=Yemen Opposition Dismisses Government Road Map |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/yemen-opposition-rejects-government-plan-for-talks-idUSTRE76O42A/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Reuters |language=en}} Residents reported that Ansar al-Sharia fighters were present only in some pockets of the city and that government forces were closing in on the city.{{Cite news |last=Arrabyee |first=Nasser |date=2011-07-25 |title=Yemeni Military and Tribesmen Push Back Militants in South |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/26/world/middleeast/26yemen.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617072335/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/26/world/middleeast/26yemen.html |archive-date=2022-06-17 |access-date=2025-05-23 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

A major setback in the offensive occurred as result of a friendly-fire incident on 29 July, in which a Yemeni warplane launched at least three consecutive airstrikes on a communications building shortly after fighters from the Fadl tribe had pushed Ansar al-Sharia militants out of it during their advance east towards the city.{{Cite web |last=Al-Haj |first=Ahmed |date=2011-07-30 |title=Airstrikes kill 40 pro-government Yemeni tribesmen |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/385962 |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Arab News |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} The strikes killed 40 people, including two colonels, a lieutenant colonel, a major and a sheik from the Nahee tribe.{{Cite web |date=2015-03-27 |title=Botched Yemeni Airstrikes Disrupt Push to Oust Al Qaeda Militants |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/botched-yemeni-airstrikes-disrupt-push-to-oust-al-qaeda-militants |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Fox News |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}} Tribal commander Mohammed Gaadani said that the incident ruined tribal morale and trust in the Yemeni government.{{Cite news |last=Jamjoom |first=Mohammed |last2=Almasmari |first2=Hakim |date=2011-07-31 |title=Official: Pro-government tribesmen killed in Yemen airstrikes |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/07/31/yemen.unrest/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230330190437/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/07/31/yemen.unrest/ |archive-date=2023-03-30 |access-date=2025-03-27 |work=CNN |language=en}} In response to the attack, tribal forces withdrew from the battle to bury their dead as the militants resolidified control over Zinjibar. Participating tribes debated as to whether they would rejoin the offensive. Fighting intensified at the end of the month as Ramadan was set to begin.{{Cite web |last=Almasmari |first=Hakim |date=2011-07-30 |title=Sources: 16 dead in Yemen violence |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/07/30/yemen.killings/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512034700/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/07/30/yemen.killings/ |archive-date=2012-05-12 |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=CNN}}

By August, Zinjibar had been surrounded by the 119th Infantry Brigade from its western side and the 25th Mechanized Brigade from its eastern side.{{Cite web |date=2011-08-04 |title=Yemen’s army offensive kills three al-Qaida in Abyan: official |url=https://en.apa.az/asia/-152764 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Azerbaijani Press Agency |language=en |agency=Xinhua}} Fighting intensified in early in the month between the 119th Infantry Brigade and militants in al-Khamila. Suspected US drone struck al-Khamila along with the Amodiah neighbourhood and the al-Wahda Stadium, destroying seized military equipment.{{Cite web |last=Al-Qadhi |first=Mohammed |date=2011-08-01 |title=Militants killed in air attacks in south Yemen |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/militants-killed-in-air-attacks-in-south-yemen/2011/08/01/gIQArZmDoI_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153507/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/militants-killed-in-air-attacks-in-south-yemen/2011/08/01/gIQArZmDoI_story.html |archive-date=2018-07-31 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=The Washington Post}} The local tribes had also decided to rejoin the offensive, with an official confirming that tribal fighters had returned to their positions surrounding the city, some aiding the 25th Mechanized Brigade in the east.{{Cite web |last=Mukhashaf |first=Mohammed |date=2011-08-03 |title=South Yemen tribes to rejoin army offensive against militants |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/south-yemen-tribes-to-rejoin-army-offensive-against-militants-idUSTRE7723GJ/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Reuters}}

Clashes intensified in Dofas later in the month. From 20 to 27 August, Ansar al-Sharia fighters launched five attacks on government forces in Dofas,{{Cite web |date=2011-08-27 |title=Seven Troops Killed in South Yemen’s Abyan Province |url=http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=3949 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828092151/http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=3949 |archive-date=2011-08-28 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Yemen Post}} including a 23 August attack on the 201st Mechanized Brigade base which killed seven soldiers and a 27 August ambush on army units attempting to reach the 25th Mechanized Brigade.{{Cite web |date=2011-08-27 |title=Soldiers killed in suspected al Qaeda ambush |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20110827-yemen-soldiers-killed-fighting-suspected-al-qaeda-forces |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=France 24 |language=en |agency=Agence France-Presse}} On 28 August, 10 soldiers and 26 militants were killed in fighting primarily centered in Dofas.{{Cite web |last=Al-Haj |first=Ahmed |date=2011-08-29 |title=26 militants, 10 soldiers killed in Yemen fighting |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna44316303 |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=NBC News |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} An official said that government forces had secured "an area west of Zinjibar" for the first time since March."{{Cite web |date=2011-08-28 |title=Yemen violence kills soldiers, militants in south |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/instant-article/idUSTRE77R2ZK20110828/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Reuters}} On 29 August, the army crossed Dofas and advanced on al-Matla, an area 10 kilometers south of Zinjibar{{Cite web |date=2011-08-30 |title=Troops killed in Abyan province |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/8/30/al-qaeda-linked-fighters-kill-yemen-troops |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} which led to the al-Wahda Stadium.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-08-27 |title=11 قتيلاً من «القاعدة» بغارة واشتباكات جنوب اليمن |trans-title=11 Al-Qaeda members killed in raid and clashes in southern Yemen |url=https://www.aletihad.ae/article/79726/2011/11-%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D9%85%D9%86-%C2%AB%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A9%C2%BB-%D8%A8%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86 |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=Al-Ittihad |language=ar-AR |trans-quote=Yemeni press sources reported that army forces "crossed the Dofes Valley" toward the Triangle area, which leads to the Al-Wahda Sports Stadium, on the outskirts of the coastal city of Zinjibar.}} By the end of the month, the army had recaptured the towns of Dofas, al-Kawd and al-Matla on Zinjibar's outskirts, as well as the road linking it to Aden.{{Cite news |date=2011-08-31 |title=Four 'Al-Qaeda' gunmen killed in Yemen clashes: medic |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Aug-31/147622-four-qaeda-gunmen-killed-in-yemen-clashes-medic.ashx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901085559/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Aug-31/147622-four-qaeda-gunmen-killed-in-yemen-clashes-medic.ashx#ixzz1WcIngV5K |archive-date=2011-09-01 |access-date=2025-03-28 |work=The Daily Star |agency=Agence France-Presse}}File:Yemeni soldiers at Zinjibar, Sep 2011.jpg

By the beginning of September, government forces were advancing towards the city on two fronts. On the eastern front, the al-Wahda Stadium was recaptured by the army before it advanced to the Shaddad Fort and linked up with the adjacent base of the 25th Mechanized Brigade.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-09-01 |title=الجيش اليمني يتقدم باتجاه زنجبار التي يسيطر عليها القاعدة |trans-title=The Yemeni army advances towards Zinjibar, which is controlled by Al-Qaeda. |url=https://elaph.com/Web/news/2011/9/680046.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Elaph |language=ar |agency=Agence France-Presse}} The advance came amid a barrage of US drone strikes which freed the 25th Mechanized Brigade.{{Cite web |last=Roggio |first=Bill |date=2011-09-01 |title=US airstrikes in southern Yemen kill 30 AQAP fighters: report |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/09/us_airstrikes_in_sou.php |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=FDD's Long War Journal |language=en-US}} On the south, army forces backed by tanks were approximately five kilometers away from Zinjibar after capturing al-Kawd.{{Cite news |date=2011-09-02 |title=Yemen army said advancing on militants in Zinjibar |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Sep-02/147675-yemen-army-said-advancing-on-militants-in-zinjibar.ashx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902111124/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Sep-02/147675-yemen-army-said-advancing-on-militants-in-zinjibar.ashx#axzz1WnCS621g |archive-date=2011-09-02 |access-date=2025-05-18 |work=The Daily Star |agency=Agence France-Presse}} Government forces had seized the main entrances to Zinjibar and were beginning to advance into the city.{{Cite web |date=2011-09-02 |title=Yemeni forces to enter Qaida-held southern city, 15 killed |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-09/02/c_131092452.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011041042/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-09/02/c_131092452.htm |archive-date=2015-10-11 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Xinhua}}

On 10 September, a Yemeni government statement announced that the military had entered Zinjibar and broke the siege on the 25th Mechanized Brigade.

{{cite web |last=al-Haidari |first=Fawaz |date=2011-09-10 |title=Yemen troops free city, army base from 'Qaeda' control |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jyZ9cWI4RVWL0UmxfVqKbzOjYV0A?docId=CNG.7912100a0c9c87a0954504c3fe144415.c81 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617163245/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jyZ9cWI4RVWL0UmxfVqKbzOjYV0A?docId=CNG.7912100a0c9c87a0954504c3fe144415.c81 |archive-date=2012-06-17 |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Agence France-Presse}} Yemeni state-television broadcast footage of soldiers positioned inside of the city. A government spokesperson added that the army would continue to sweep through and secure the entire city.{{Cite news |last=Kasinof |first=Laura |date=2011-09-11 |title=Yemeni Forces Are Said to Enter Coastal City |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/12/world/middleeast/12yemen.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221060723/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/12/world/middleeast/12yemen.html |archive-date=2022-12-21 |access-date=2025-05-23 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Local witnesses reported hundreds of government troops entering the city and that a portion of it was secured, but fighting continued in other parts of the city.{{cite web |last=Almasmari |first=Hakim |date=2011-09-10 |title=Yemen army recaptures provincial capital of Abyan |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/09/10/yemen.siege.zinjibar/index.html?iref=allsearch |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110150710/http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/09/10/yemen.siege.zinjibar/index.html?iref=allsearch |archive-date=2012-11-10 |access-date=2011-09-10 |publisher=CNN}}

Despite government officials claiming that the entire city was liberated, military officials confirmed that the army had only managed to capture the eastern part of Zinjibar and that fighting continued in other neighbourhoods of the city.{{Cite web |date=2011-09-10 |title=Troops ‘reclaim’ southern city |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/9/10/yemen-troops-reclaim-southern-city |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Independent commentators further established that the army had not yet entered Zinjibar but had only lifted the siege on the 25th Mechanized Brigade base and secured the eastern outskirts of the city. Ansar al-Sharia fighters were seen reinforcing the southern and eastern entrances to Zinjibar; where army units were most likely to enter, with explosive devices and an 85 mm field artillery gun.{{Cite web |last=Hassan |first=Samir |date=2011-09-13 |title=القاعدة لا تزال تسيطر على زنجبار |trans-title=Al-Qaeda still controls Zinjibar |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2011/9/13/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1 |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Al Jazeera Arabic |language=ar}}

On 14 September, seven militants were killed in a Zinjibar suburb as they attempted to conduct a suicide attack against the army. Artillery shelling was launched at militants attempting to regroup in a city suburb.{{Cite web |date=2011-09-15 |title=Gunfire, explosions rock Sanaa amid renewed clashes |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20110915-yemen-tribesmen-anti-government-protests-saleh-troops-renewed-clashes-sanaa |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=France 24 |language=en |agency=Reuters}} Army forces were still experiencing militant resistance in the east by mid-September.{{Cite news |date=2011-09-17 |title=Yemen students clash, army battles militants in south |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ghZH8Wnv-xio6u30T1BNnqFeNABQ?docId=CNG.51bb5e6d4f1391dd6fdec28749285e91.11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120614112211/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ghZH8Wnv-xio6u30T1BNnqFeNABQ?docId=CNG.51bb5e6d4f1391dd6fdec28749285e91.11 |archive-date=2012-06-14 |access-date=2025-05-13 |work=Agence France-Presse}}

A standoff between government and militant forces ensued after the conclusion of the offensive in September.{{Cite news |last=Trégan |first=François-Xavier |date=2011-12-28 |title=Sur la ligne de front de Zinjibar, fief des djihadistes du Yémen |trans-title=On the front line of Zinjibar, stronghold of Yemen's jihadists |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/proche-orient/article/2011/12/28/sur-la-ligne-de-front-de-zinjibar-fief-des-djihadistes-du-yemen_1623320_3218.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407110519/https://www.lemonde.fr/proche-orient/article/2011/12/28/sur-la-ligne-de-front-de-zinjibar-fief-des-djihadistes-du-yemen_1623320_3218.html |archive-date=2023-04-07 |access-date=2025-04-06 |work=Le Monde |language=fr}} Ansar al-Sharia remained in control of more than half of the city, including its center{{Cite news |last=Raghavan |first=Sudarsan |date=2012-01-01 |title=Militants create haven in southern Yemen |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/militants-create-haven-in-southern-yemen/2011/12/29/gIQA9Fb1SP_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218204000/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/militants-create-haven-in-southern-yemen/2011/12/29/gIQA9Fb1SP_story.html |archive-date=2021-12-18 |access-date=2025-04-06 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} and most of its government buildings.{{Cite web |last=Almasmari |first=Hakim |date=2011-11-16 |title=International AQAP suspects killed in south Yemen |url=https://www.cnn.com/2011/11/16/world/meast/yemen-militants-killed |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=CNN |language=en}} It also controlled access points to the city in the north towards Jaar and in the east towards Shuqrah, attempting to cut off supply lines to the military in December.

The army launched an offensive targeting the northern Bajdar neighbourhood of Zinjibar at the beginning of October.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-10-02 |title=Yemen Troops Killed in Attack on 'Qaeda Militants' |url=https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/16351-yemen-troops-killed-in-attack-on-qaeda-militants |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Naharnet |agency=Agence France-Presse}}{{Cite web |date=2011-10-27 |title=New Strike Kills 6 Militants South of Yemen |url=http://www.yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=4237&MainCat=3 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Yemen Post}} Army units from the 201st Mechanized Brigade had managed to advance into the central neighbourhood. However, during the advance a Yemeni aircraft mistakenly struck a school used as a base for the militants shortly after army forces had pushed them out. By 5 October, the army was reportedly in control of eastern and central parts of Zinjibar, while the militants occupied the remaining areas of the city, including the northern areas bordering Jaar.{{Cite web |last=Saeed |first=Ali |date=2011-10-05 |title=Small victories for the army in Abyan |url=http://yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=34555 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20111113022519/http://yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=34555 |archive-date=2011-11-13 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Yemen Times}} On 20 October, Ansar al-Sharia recaptured most of Zinjibar. The headquarters of the 39th Armoured Brigade was attacked with mortar fire from the Hassan Stadium and Shaddad Fort areas, forcing the unit to withdraw from the city to the al-Wahda Stadium area.{{Cite web |date=2011-10-20 |title=مصادر عسكرية لـ" التغيير" : القاعدة تسيطر على مدينة زنجبار والجيش يستعد لهجوم مضاد |trans-title=Military sources told Al-Taghyeer: Al-Qaeda controls the city of Zinjibar and the army is preparing for a counterattack |url=http://www.al-tagheer.com/news34385.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120512143807/http://www.al-tagheer.com/news34385.html |archive-date=2012-05-12 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Al-Taghyeer}}{{Cite web |last=Roggio |first=Bill |date=2011-10-22 |title=AQAP regains control of Zinjibar: report |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/10/aqap_regains_control_of_zinjib.php |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=FDD's Long War Journal |language=en-US}}

More than 38 militants were reportedly killed in the first two weeks of November. Fighting broke out in the city in mid-November, with the army launching artillery shelling at the local government headquarters and the offices of the internal security agency which killed multiple foreign fighters.{{Cite web |date=2011-11-16 |title=‘Al-Qaeda-linked’ fighters killed in Yemen |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/11/16/al-qaeda-linked-fighters-killed-in-yemen |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Outside of the city, Ansar al-Sharia launched an attack on al-Kawd, seizing the entire city and forcing the army to retreat to Dofas.{{Cite web |last=Al-Sakkaf |first=Nadia |date=2011-11-17 |title=AQAP expands in south Yemen |url=http://yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=34814 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123205602/http://yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=34814 |archive-date=2011-11-23 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Yemen Times}}{{Cite web |last=Al-Habishi |first=Amjad |date=2011-11-16 |title=القاعدة تسيطرعلى مدينة الكود بمحافظة ابين جنوب اليمن |trans-title=Al-Qaeda takes control of the city of al-Koud in Abyan Governorate, southern Yemen |url=https://yemen-press.net/news4167.html |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Yemen Press Agency |language=ar}} In December, reports emerged of hundreds of militants arriving from Azzan in Shabwah among other areas in order to reinforce Ansar al-Sharia positions in Zinjibar.{{Cite web |last=Zimmerman |first=Katherine |date=2011-12-22 |title=Yemen Crisis Situation Report: Update 119 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/yemen-situation-report/yemen-crisis-situation-reports-update-119 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Critical Threats}} Clashes increased across the governorate in late December.{{Cite web |date=2011-12-23 |title=US drone kills Yemen Qaeda leader's relative-source |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us-drone-kills-yemen-qaeda-leader-s-relative-source-idUSDEE7BM0D1/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Reuters}} Intense street fighting occurred in the northern and eastern areas of Zinjibar, with army units reportedly advancing on some militant-controlled areas.{{Cite web |date=2011-12-26 |title=Military battle against militants in Yemen kills nine |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/12/26/184719 |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en}} Amid the fighting, a US drone struck and killed Abdulrahman al-Wuhayshi, the brother of AQAP leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi.

In mid-January 2012, around 2,500 displaced residents returned to Zinjibar in a vehicular convoy agreed upon by both Ansar al-Sharia and the Yemeni government.{{Cite web |last=Mussed |first=Fuad |date=2012-01-19 |title=Abyan’s displaced people take risk and return home |url=http://yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=35102 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120126061433/http://yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=35102 |archive-date=2012-01-26 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Yemen Times}}{{Cite web |date=2012-01-14 |title=Residents back in Yemen city after months of fighting |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/residents-back-in-yemen-city-after-months-of-fighting-idUSTRE80D0RH/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Reuters}} The residents were welcomed by the militants in a festival and were allowed to visit the main city, which was held by Ansar al-Sharia, and other nearby areas before returning to Aden.{{Cite web |date=2012-01-25 |title=Little hope of swift return for Abyan IDPs |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/little-hope-swift-return-abyan-idps |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=The New Humanitarian |language=en}} According to the residents, control of the city was divided between the army and the militants, the two in some areas being separated by only a few meters.

On 4 February, officials reported that the government had been in negotiations with Ansar al-Sharia via a tribal delegation for a potential militant withdrawal from Zinjibar. According to tribal negotiator Tariq al-Fadhli, the militants demanded that sharia law be implemented and that Yemeni soldiers "retreat to their barracks" before they withdrew from the city.{{Cite web |date=2012-02-04 |title=Yemen negotiating Qaeda pullout from Zinjibar |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jGojNLgeiskfR81Os9Ps7fOlPZvA?docId=CNG.0dd2431bccd6950e081eb6d881d32b4a.571 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617183407/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jGojNLgeiskfR81Os9Ps7fOlPZvA?docId=CNG.0dd2431bccd6950e081eb6d881d32b4a.571 |archive-date=2012-06-17 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Agence France-Presse}}{{Cite web |last=Almasmari |first=Hakim |date=2012-02-05 |title=Yemen offers dialogue with al Qaeda |url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/02/05/world/meast/yemen-al-qaeda/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=CNN |language=en}} The government claimed that a ceasefire had been agreed upon for the election on 21 February, but this was denied by Ansar al-Sharia in a statement shortly after a series clashes took place in the city.{{Cite web |date=2012-02-05 |title=Fighting over captured Yemeni city kills five |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fighting-over-captured-yemeni-city-kills-five-idUSTRE8140BZ/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Reuters}}

Both Ansar al-Sharia and the Yemeni government were expecting the conflict to intensify after the inauguration of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi on 25 February, replacing the ousted Ali Abdullah Saleh. During his inauguration speech, Hadi pointed out AQAP as a top priority for his administration, vowing to continue the battle against it.{{Cite web |last=Terrill |first=W. Andrew |date=2013-06-01 |title=The Struggle for Yemen and the Challenge of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula |url=https://press.armywarcollege.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1522&context=monographs |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=United States Army War College |pages=41}}{{Cite web |date=2012-02-25 |title=Car bomb goes off as new president takes oath |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20120225-yemen-car-bomb-blows-new-leader-takes-oath-sanaa-hadi-saleh |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=France 24 |language=en |agency=Reuters}} One of Hadi's first moves in as President was to name Gen. Salem Ali Qatan as the new commander of army forces in the south. The Yemeni Army gave a seven-day ultimatum for the militants to surrender or flee on 28 February,{{Cite web |date=2012-02-28 |title=Yemen army gives militants linked to al-Qaeda a week to leave cities south of Yemen |url=http://yemenonline.info/news-2921.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229060852/http://yemenonline.info/news-2921.html |archive-date=2012-02-29 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Yemen Online}} while Ansar al-Sharia gave the army a 10-day counter-ultimatum the following day.{{Cite web |last=Mukhashaf |first=Mohammed |date=2012-02-29 |title=Al Qaeda-linked group gives Yemen government ultimatum |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Feb-29/165059-al-qaeda-linked-group-gives-yemen-government-ultimatum.ashx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930230312/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Feb-29/165059-al-qaeda-linked-group-gives-yemen-government-ultimatum.ashx#axzz1nsX8QPgv |archive-date=2012-09-30 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The Daily Star |agency=Reuters}}

In response to increased US and Yemeni airstrikes under Hadi, Ansar al-Sharia forces launched an attack on military units stationed in Dofas on 4 March. The 39th Armoured Brigade's artillery base was overran and looted, while the 115th and 119th Infantry Brigade's defended their encampments for hours until the militants withdrew.{{Cite web |last=Anees |first=Abdurrahman |last2=Al-Maqtari |first2=Muaadh |date=2012-03-08 |title=Details of Abyan attacks emerge |url=http://www.yementimes.com/en/1553/news/535 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073319/http://www.yementimes.com/en/1553/news/535 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Yemen Times}}{{Cite web |last=Roggio |first=Bill |date=2012-03-06 |title=AQAP raid decimates Yemeni mechanized battalion |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/03/aqap_raid_renders_yemeni_mecha.php |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=FDD's Long War Journal |language=en-US}} The battle killed 185 soldiers, the most in a single engagement since the military's conflict with Ansar al-Sharia began, dealing a heavy blow to army morale.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2012-03-06 |title=Yemeni soldiers' death toll rises after al-Qaida assault |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/06/yemeni-soldiers-al-qaida-assault |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |agency=Associated Press}} The military subsequently intensified its bombardment of Zinjibar in the next weeks, utilizing artillery shelling{{Cite web |last= |date=2012-03-08 |title=Yemen army kills seven militants in Zinjibar: military |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/701076/yemen-army-kills-seven-militants-in-zinjibar-military |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=Dawn |language=en |agency=Agence France-Presse}}{{Cite web |last=Ghobari |first=Mohammed |date=2012-03-21 |title=CORRECTED-UPDATE 5-Militants kill American teacher in Yemen |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/18/yemen-idUSL6E8EI02N20120318/ |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=Reuters}} and naval strikes{{Cite web |last=Roggio |first=Bill |date=2012-03-18 |title='Missiles from the sea' kill 16 AQAP fighters in Zinjibar |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/03/missiles_from_the_sea_kill_16.php |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=FDD's Long War Journal |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Al-Haj |first=Ahmed |date=2012-03-22 |title=Shelling in Yemen kills 29 Al Qaeda militants |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/shelling-in-yemen-kills-29-al-qaeda-militants |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326195448/http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/22/3506229/shelling-in-yemen-kills-29-al.html |archive-date=2012-03-26 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Kansas City Star |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}} to inflict dozens of militant casualties.

On 19 April, the Yemeni Army reportedly advanced on the outskirts of Zinjibar after clashes killed 18 militants and wounded dozens of militants, forcing the rest to flee.{{Cite web |date=2012-04-20 |title=Qaeda, army clashes kill 34 in Yemen: ministry |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hFbimdBqbE2gq4J_e33A10XVWEZg?docId=CNG.46b40181ee39a090b52dd63a46e30e61.231 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623085414/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hFbimdBqbE2gq4J_e33A10XVWEZg?docId=CNG.46b40181ee39a090b52dd63a46e30e61.231 |archive-date=2012-06-23 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Agence France-Presse}}{{Cite news |date=2012-04-20 |title=Yemen unrest: Army offensive in Abyan kills militants |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-17788086 |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} Later in the day, the military launched an overnight surprise offensive, making a "major advance" while killing 25 militants and seizing a district on the outskirts of the city.{{Cite web |date=2012-04-21 |title=25 Al-Qaeda fighters killed in Yemen clash |url=http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article614753.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421015236/http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article614753.ece |archive-date=2012-04-21 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Arab News}}{{Cite web |date=2012-04-20 |title=25 al-Qaida fighters killed in Yemen clash |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/nation-world/article/25-al-qaida-fighters-killed-in-yemen-clash-3498490.php |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Houston Chronicle |agency=Associated Press}}

According to the military, on 23 April the Yemeni Air Force carried out strikes on Zinjibar before army forces backed by tribesmen moved in on the city. The 119th Infantry Brigade, approaching from the southwest, secured al-Kawd, the 25th Mechanized Brigade cleared the southeastern approaches to the city, the 201st Mechanized Brigade approached from the north and cleared the surrounding areas, and the 39th Armoured Brigade entered the city center from the east, securing several key government buildings, including the local post office,{{Cite web |date=2012-04-24 |title=Yemen Troops Advance on Qaida Stronghold |url=https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/37956-yemen-troops-advance-on-qaida-stronghold |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Naharnet |agency=Agence France-Presse}} by the morning of 24 April after a six-hour battle.{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Sasha |last2=Barnewolt |first2=Christopher |date=2012-04-26 |title=Yemen Crisis Situation Reports: Update 137 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/yemen-situation-report/yemen-crisis-situation-reports-update-137 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Critical Threats}}{{Cite web |date=2015-03-26 |title=Yemen army recaptures center of al-Qaida-held city |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/yemen-army-recaptures-center-of-al-qaida-held-city |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Fox News |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Carol J. |last2=Dilanian |first2=Ken |date=2012-04-24 |title=Yemen forces recapture key town from Al Qaeda, kill militants |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/world-now/story/2012-04-24/yemen-forces-recapture-key-town-from-al-qaeda-kill-militants |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723021420/https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/world-now/story/2012-04-24/yemen-forces-recapture-key-town-from-al-qaeda-kill-militants |archive-date=2024-07-23 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} At the same time, clashes were being fought on the eastern and southern outskirts of Zinjibar. While Ansar al-Sharia admitted that their forces had "encountered a massive offensive by Saana regime forces", it denied the government's report and said it had blocked the army's advances.{{Cite web |date=2012-04-24 |title=FBI chief in Yemen as drone kills AQAP leader |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fbi-chief-in-yemen-as-drone-kills-aqap-leader-idUSBRE83N0X7/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Reuters}}

{{Main|2012 Abyan offensive}}

On 12 May, the Yemeni government began an all-out offensive to recapture Zinjibar and other areas occupied by Ansar al-Sharia in Abyan Governorate. 20,000 members of the military participated in the operation, including the air force and navy.{{Cite web |date=2012-05-12 |title=U.S. drone strike kills 5 militants in Yemen: residents |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/u-s-drone-strike-kills-5-militants-in-yemen-residents-idUSBRE84B09L/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Reuters}} The offensive involved government forces executing a crescent-shaped advance on Zinjibar.{{Cite web |date=2012-05-16 |title=US Helps Yemen In Offensive On Al-Qaida In South |url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=152735325 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517180807/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=152735325 |archive-date=2012-05-17 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=NPR |agency=Associated Press}} On 13 May, government forces reached the Shaddad Fort, around three kilometers east of Zinjibar, and Zinjibar Bridge, just one kilometer south of it.{{Cite web |date=2012-05-13 |title=Yemeni forces press assault to recapture al-Qaeda bastion |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/05/13/213825 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en}} By mid-May the army had managed to push into the center of Zinjibar, with air force helicopters flying over the city for the first time since its seizure, indicating that the militants had lost their anti-air capability. Army forces were moving slowly along the outskirts of Zinjibar in order to avoid being outflanked, though the offensive in general had slowed down in part due to poor intelligence, leading to uncertainty as to whether most militants in the city had been either killed, deserted or strategically withdrew in preparation for a counteroffensive.{{Cite web |last=Yeranian |first=Edward |date=2012-05-17 |title=Yemeni Forces Recapture Territory from Al-Qaida |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/yemeni_forces_recapture_territory_from_al_qaida/667116.html |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2012-05-18 |title=Yemeni army pushing into al-Qaida stronghold |url=https://www.stardem.com/article_22be756f-bcfa-5a52-9e3d-b3ee0764a1de.html |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=The Star Democrat |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}

On 23 May, government forces advanced into and secured several parts of the central and northern neighborhoods of Zinjibar, including the local stadium and government buildings.{{Cite web |last=McDowall |first=Angus |last2=Mukhashaf |first2=Mohammed |date=2012-05-23 |title=Yemen government troops advance; donors pledge $4 bln aid |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/yemen-government-troops-advance-donors-pledge-4-bln-aid-idUSDEE84M0H1/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Reuters |language=en-US}} Further advances were made on 26 May, with the 25th Mechanized Brigade capturing the Maraqid and Mashqasa areas.{{Cite web |date=2012-05-26 |title=Dozens die in Yemen fighting |url=https://www.dw.com/en/yemeni-army-reports-progress-against-al-qaeda/a-15979415 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Deutsche Welle |language=en}} By end of the month, the 25th Mechanized Brigade, 39th Armoured Brigade and local Popular Committee's had managed to recapture all militant-held positions in the east of Zinjibar.{{Cite web |last=Al-Samei |first=Mohammed |date=2012-05-27 |title=Military rejects Ansar Al-Sharia cease-fire offer |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/military-rejects-ansar-al-sharia-cease-fire-offer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221221026/http://yementimes.com/en/1576/news/900/Military-rejects-Ansar-Al-Sharia-cease-fire-offer.htm |archive-date=2014-02-21 |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Yemen Times |language=en}}

Militant defenses in the area began to collapse on 11 June after the seizure of the 7 October factory, which was used as a base by the militants and was located on a hilltop overlooking Jaar, five kilometers from the center of the town.{{Cite web |date=2012-06-12 |title=Yemen drives al-Qaida from 2 major strongholds |url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/6/12/20418176/yemen-drives-al-qaida-from-2-major-strongholds/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Deseret News |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite web |date=2012-06-11 |title=Yemen retakes ground in push on Islamist rebels |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/yemen-retakes-ground-in-push-on-islamist-rebels-idUSBRE85A0FB/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Reuters}} On 12 June, the Yemeni Army and Popular Committee fighters moved into Zinjibar as Ansar al-Sharia completely withdrew from the city. The push into Zinjibar came hours after the military seized Jaar after the militants left the city during dawn. Gen. Qatan confirmed the capture of Zinjibar via a phone call from the local government headquarters.{{cite web |last=Mukhashaf |first=Mohammed |date=2012-06-12 |title=Yemen army, in major victory, retakes two cities |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-jaar-idUSBRE85B0O320120612 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021033317/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/12/us-yemen-jaar-idUSBRE85B0O320120612 |archive-date=2014-10-21 |accessdate=2024-04-21 |website=Reuters}} Abyan governor Jamal al-Aqel said that about 300 militants fled from Zinjibar towards Shuqrah, which was still under Ansar al-Sharia control. Retreating militants distributed flyers to local residents stating that they were withdrawing in order to avoid more bloodshed and destruction in the area.{{Cite web |last=Dawood |first=Ahmed |date=2012-06-14 |title=Ansar Al-Sharia militants withdraw from Zinjibar and Jaar to port of Shuqra |url=http://www.yementimes.com/en/1581/news/988/Ansar-Al-Sharia-militants-withdraw-from-Zinjibar-and-Jaar-to-port-of-Shuqra.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314195354/http://www.yementimes.com/en/1581/news/988/Ansar-Al-Sharia-militants-withdraw-from-Zinjibar-and-Jaar-to-port-of-Shuqra.htm |archive-date=2016-03-14 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Yemen Times}}

The United States accelerated its drone campaign by June 2011 as American officials saw it as one of the few ways to prevent the militants from consolidating control in southern Yemen. The campaign was being conducted by the Department of Defense's Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in coordination with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The CIA had ramped up its intelligence-gathering on militant locations with the support of Saudi Arabian intelligence officers, who had a vast network of on-the-ground informants in Yemen.{{Cite news |last=Mazzetti |first=Mark |date=2011-06-09 |title=U.S. Is Intensifying a Secret Campaign of Yemen Airstrikes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/09/world/middleeast/09intel.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715211121/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/09/world/middleeast/09intel.html |archive-date=2024-07-15 |access-date=2025-03-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news |last=Gorman |first=Siobhan |last2=Entous |first2=Adam |date=2011-06-14 |title=CIA Plans Drone Strikes in Yemen |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303848104576384051572679110 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200101045638/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303848104576384051572679110 |archive-date=2020-01-01 |access-date=2025-04-16 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}} On 14 June, The Wall Street Journal reported that the CIA was preparing to launch drone strikes independent of the US military.

Six drone strikes were launched in Zinjibar during 2011.{{Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Akbar |last2=Akins |first2=Harrison |date=2012-05-05 |title=Making enemies in Yemen |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2013/5/5/making-enemies-in-yemen |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} The first strike came on 3 June, when a US drone strike killed two high-ranking AQAP leaders, Ali Abdullah Naji al-Harithi and Ammar al-Waeli, along with four civilians according to witnesses.{{Cite web |last=Wolf |first=Z. Byron |date=2011-06-09 |title=Panetta Says Yemen Still Cooperating in Counterterror |url=http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/06/panetta-says-yemen-still-cooperating-in-counterterror/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325043335/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/06/panetta-says-yemen-still-cooperating-in-counterterror/ |archive-date=2013-03-25 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=ABC News}} US and Saudi aircraft provided initial air support for ground advances by the 25th Mechanized Brigade. Both brigade commander Gen. Sawmali and Deputy Information Minister Abdo al-Janadi confirmed that during the siege on the brigade, US aircraft had airdropped essential supplies for the unit at least once.{{Cite web |date=2011-07-22 |title=Yemen Qaeda chief, 10 soldiers killed in fighting |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/07/22/158732 |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en |agency=Agence France-Presse}}{{Cite news |last=Kasinof |first=Laura |date=2011-10-02 |title=In Yemen, One Islamist Is Dead, but the Battle Goes On |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/03/world/middleeast/in-yemen-one-islamist-dead-many-more-in-arms.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617070157/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/03/world/middleeast/in-yemen-one-islamist-dead-many-more-in-arms.html |archive-date=2022-06-17 |access-date=2025-04-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

The May–June 2012 offensive received direct and extensive support from the US, which positioned nearly 60 soldiers at the al-Anad Air Base to coordinate the offensive and oversee drone strikes. The Times reported that US Army Special Forces and Army Ranger personnel were deployed to coordinate air and ground attacks for Yemeni forces.{{Cite web |date=2012-05-14 |title=Obama sends counter terrorism chief to Yemen as forces bombard al Qaeda |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/obama-sends-counter-terrorism-chief-to-yemen-as-forces-bombard-al-qaeda-2l8khvqcwvg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516215503/https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/obama-sends-counter-terrorism-chief-to-yemen-as-forces-bombard-al-qaeda-2l8khvqcwvg |archive-date=2025-05-16 |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=The Times |language=en}} Saudi Arabia also aided the offensive by funneling money to the Yemeni government which was used to buy the allegiance of numerous tribes in the area, who began to fight Ansar al-Sharia alongside the army.{{Cite web |date=2012-05-17 |title=Increased U.S. Involvement in Yemen (Dispatch) |url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/increased-us-involvement-yemen-dispatch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411071651/https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/increased-us-involvement-yemen-dispatch |archive-date=2021-04-11 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Stratfor}}

According to Time magazine, although the Yemeni military was reluctant to disclose its casualties publicly, unofficial internal estimates report that at as many as 1,000 soldiers had died in the battle to reclaim the city altogether. Gen. Nasser al-Taheri, commander of the Southern Military Region after the assassination of Gen. Qatan, estimated that at least 600 militants were killed in the battle, including many in the core leadership of Ansar al-Sharia and AQAP.{{Cite web |last=Ghosh |first=Bobby |date=2012-09-17 |title=The End Of al-Qaeda? |url=https://time.com/archive/6642435/the-end-of-al-qaeda/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=TIME |language=en}}

As reported by the state-ran Saba News Agency on 11 September 2011, a day after the conclusion of the July–September offensive, Defence Minister Mohammed Nasser Ahmed said that 230 soldiers from the Southern Military Region had been killed in the battle since May, while 50 pro-government tribal fighters were also killed. Then-vice president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi repordetly told European diplomats that 90 soldiers from the besieged 25th Mechanized Brigade and 30 AQAP leaders had been killed in Zinjibar since the battle began.{{Cite web |date=2011-09-11 |title=Yemeni army fights off Islamists; official says at least 230 soldiers killed in battles with Qaeda |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/11/166420 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en}}

According to an Agence France-Presse tally composed of multiple sources, 485 people were killed in the 2012 Abyan offensive since its instigation on 12 May until the liberation of Zinjibar on 12 June. The total included 368 militant fighters, 72 army soldiers, 26 Popular Committee fighters and 19 civilians. The total includes fighting not only in Zinjibar, but all of Abyan.{{Cite web |date=2012-06-12 |title=Army retakes Zinjibar |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/6/12/yemeni-army-drives-fighters-from-zinjibar |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimated that by 6 June, up to 95% of Zinjibar and its surrounding villages' population, nearly 10,000 people, had been displaced by the fighting.{{Cite web |date=2011-06-07 |title=Yemen Civil Unrest and Displacement HCT Situation Report No. 1 |url=https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/yemen/yemen-civil-unrest-and-displacement-hct-situation-report-no-1 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Fuchs |first=Martina |date=2011-06-06 |title=UNHCR sees growing refugee crisis in Yemen |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/instant-article/idUKTRE7554TV20110606/ |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=Reuters}} By mid-2011, 60,842 residents of Zinjibar and its surrounding areas were recorded as internally displaced persons according to the Abyan government.{{Cite web |year=2011 |title=Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan 2011: Mid-Year Review |url=https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/708845?ln=en&v=pdf |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs}} The United States Agency for International Development recorded 40,000 people as displaced from the city due to the fighting.

Some families had taken refuge in the open in the surrounding rural areas of Zinjibar, living underneath trees.{{Cite web |date=2011-07-18 |title=More Yemenis dependent on aid because of ongoing conflict – UN |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2011/07/381892-more-yemenis-dependent-aid-because-ongoing-conflict-un |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=United Nations |language=en}} Most residents and families sought refuge in Aden, occupying schools and abandoned houses as makeshift refugee camps. Displaced refugees voiced frustration and criticism against the government for its perceived indifference to their situation and scarce support given to them.{{Cite news |last=McEvers |first=Kelly |date=2011-08-13 |title=In Yemen's South, Islamists Gain Ground |url=https://www.npr.org/2011/08/13/139589710/in-yemens-south-islamists-gain-ground |access-date=2025-06-18 |work=NPR |language=en}}

War photographer Yuri Kozyrev compared the destruction in Zinjibar to that of Grozny during the First Chechen War. Writing for Foreign Policy, journalist Adam Baron described the state of the city as "apocalyptic" during his tour, with nearly every building destroyed.{{Cite web |last=Baron |first=Adam |date=2025-05-09 |title=A Hollow Victory |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/07/02/a-hollow-victory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202002553/http://foreignpolicy.com/2012/07/02/a-hollow-victory/ |archive-date=2015-02-02 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}} Local authorities estimated that around 80% of homes in the city were in some way damaged during the battle.{{Cite web |date=2012-12-17 |title=Internal displacement continues amid multiple crises |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/internal-displacement-continues-amid-multiple-crises |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=ReliefWeb |language=en |agency=Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre}} A United Nations team assessed a "total destruction of infrastructure" in the city a month after its recapture.{{Cite web |date=2012-10-08 |title=Abyan and the South Humanitarian and Early Recovery Response Plan - August 2012 |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/abyan-and-south-humanitarian-and-early-recovery-response-plan-august-2012 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=UNCT Yemen |pages=14 |language=en}} Most government headquarters, offices, and institutions also sustained damage,{{Cite web |last=Hassan |first=Samir |date=2012-06-17 |title=أبين وتحديات ما بعد الحرب |trans-title=Abyan and post-war challenges |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2012/6/17/%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=Al Jazeera |language=ar}} including the newly-built main government complex for Abyan. The water and power supply network of the city was disabled.{{Cite web |date=2012-07-16 |title=Abyan Governorate emerges from war |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/report/95876/yemen-abyan-governorate-emerges-war |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=The New Humanitarian |language=en}} The power network in particular suffered damages leaving lasting effects by 2020.{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=Zinjibar City Profile |url=https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/2020/11/zinjibar_1.pdf |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=UN-Habitat}}

Almasdar Online wrote in January 2012 that the souk, the Aden bus station, and areas of the al-Asla and Sawahil neighborhoods were the most damaged.{{Cite web |last=Al-Mahwari |first=Ziad |date=2012-01-21 |title=في الطريق إلى زنجبار: نصف كيلو يفصل بين نقطتي الجيش و«أنصار الشريعة» والدمار يعم المدينة |trans-title=On the way to Zanzibar: Half a kilometer separates the army and Ansar al-Sharia checkpoints, and destruction engulfs the city. |url=https://almasdaronline.com/articles/72059 |website=Almasdar Online |language=ar}} The al-Sarh neighborhood also witnessed some of the fiercest fighting during the battle and near-total destruction in its aftermath.{{Cite web |last=Mansour |first=Fawaz |date=2013-07-13 |title=زنجبار.. انسحبت القاعدة و"الدولة" أيضا |trans-title=Zinjibar: Al-Qaeda and ISIS have withdrawn as well |url=https://www.skynewsarabia.com/middle-east/336572-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AD%D8%A8%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%94%D9%8A%D8%B6%D8%A7 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=Sky News Arabia |language=ar}}

Within the context of the then-ongoing revolution, the seizure of Zinjibar provoked suspicion that the government had willfully or intentionally let the city fall. The army's quick abandonment of the city to the militants led to accusations that Saleh had ordered security forces to withdraw and let the militants capture it. A number of commentators claimed that the militants were working for the Saleh regime;{{Cite web |date=2011-05-30 |title=Military defections threaten Saleh's grip on power |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20110530-military-defections-threaten-saleh-grip-power-yemen-ali-abdullah-islamic-militants |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=France 24 |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} some Saleh supporters had even joined the militants believing them to be backed by the government. Analyst Ali Dahmis claimed that Saleh had allowed Zinjibar to fall in order to shift attention from his loss of control over Sanaa,{{Cite web |last= |date=2011-05-28 |title=Chaos, fatal battles spread outside Yemeni capital |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/632300/chaos-fatal-battles-spread-outside-yemeni-capital |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Dawn |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} where open street fighting was taking place at the time of its seizure. Political analyst Abdul Ghani al-Iryani questioned the absence of counterterrorism units normally stationed in the area who could have easily defended the city, believing that "if AQAP was strong enough to take control of an entire governorate, they would have done so much sooner."{{Cite web |last=Saeed |first=Ali |date=2011-05-29 |title=Armed Islamists take control of Abyan capital |url=http://www.yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=36135 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611172139/http://www.yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=36135 |archive-date=2011-06-11 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Yemen Times}} Gen. Sawmali, who led the only army brigade which remained to defend the city, stated in an interview:

God bless our colleagues in the Public Security, Police, and Central Security who pulled out of the governorate and left behind all their military equipment and munitions as a gift for al-Qaeda elements… I do not want to go too far and accuse my colleagues of complicity with al-Qaeda against us and I do not cast doubt about them… but we can say that it is cowardice and fear that filled them after the governor, his deputies, and directors of departments left Zinjibar.

Zinjibar lies east of the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, through which about three million barrels of oil pass daily. The city also lies upon the only road connecting the city of Aden to the rest of Abyan Governorate. Aden itself is located approximately 50 kilometers west of Zinjibar.{{Cite web |date=2012-03-27 |title=Behind militia lines in Jaar |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/report/95176/yemen-behind-militia-lines-jaar |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=The New Humanitarian |language=en}} If Ansar al-Sharia were to win the battle for Zinjibar, Aden would have likely been its next target, with the former acting as a staging ground. Multiple AQAP leaders claimed that Aden would be the groups next target after Zinjibar. Analyst Katherine Zimmerman of Critical Threats wrote on matter:

Should Ansar al Sharia defeat the Yemeni military in Zinjibar, Abyan would become a staging ground for an offensive to take the strategic city of Aden. The fall of Aden raises the possibility of the fall of the south, which will have resounding effects on the future of the Yemeni state. Al Qaeda would gain relative freedom of movement from the Arabian Sea to the Saudi border, significantly increasing the risk of an attack on an international or Saudi oil target, and could erect a form of an Islamist government in its territories. The Yemeni state would not only lose its southern port city of Aden, but would also lose revenues from southern oil. Should the Yemeni military or some other actor fail to halt al Qaeda’s advance, there is the very real prospect that al Qaeda could establish an Islamic emirate in south Yemen.

The intensification of attacks in Aden drew the attention of the government.{{Cite web |last=Zimmerman |first=Katherine |date=2012-10-19 |title=Al Qaeda in Yemen: Countering the Threat from the Arabian Peninsula |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/al-qaeda-in-yemen-countering-the-threat-from-the-arabian-peninsula#_edn5c779e502f9458512d50a7e8586df08a5 |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=Critical Threats}} On 3 July 2011, the Ministry of Defense admitted that a number of militants had infiltrated Aden, and announced that it would deploy a security belt around the city. The deployment of the 31st Armoured Brigade to participate in the battle in August was seen as a reaction to the threat to Aden, though the operation was more so done to prevent further Ansar al-Sharia advances towards Aden rather than recapturing its territory in Abyan. The July–September offensive succeeded in establishing a front line that prevented the spread southward of the insurgency.

{{main|Fall of Zinjibar and Jaar}}

Al-Qaeda's fighters stormed Jaar and Zinjibar in early December 2015 and recaptured the towns,{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/aqap-houthis-saudis-yemens-multifaction-civil-war/a-18902707|title=AQAP, Houthis, Saudis: Yemen′s multifaction civil war - World - DW.COM - 08.12.2015|work=DW.COM|access-date=6 March 2016}} later declaring them "Emirates", providing civilian services, and establishing a Sharia court. In summer 2016 Yemeni government forces backed by Arab coalition aircraft and gunboats moved to retake the towns, and despite encountering "repeated suicide attacks" drove AQAP out of Zinjibar on 14 August 2016.{{cite news|title=Yemen: Government Forces Retake Zinjibar From Al Qaeda Militants|url=https://www.stratfor.com/situation-report/yemen-government-forces-retake-zinjibar-al-qaeda-militants|access-date=12 October 2016|agency=Stratfor|date=14 August 2016}}

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Zinjibar

Zinjibar

Category:2011 in Yemen

Category:Abyan Governorate