Troops from Yemen and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reportedly captured the seaport city of Mukalla located in the southern part Yemen, from al Qaeda fighters on Sunday.
According to media reports, approximately 2,000 Yemeni and UAE troops took control of the port and airport and set up checkpoints throughout the coastal city.
Residents were quoted, as saying that al Qaeda fighters had moved westwards to Shabwa province on the request of the local leaders.
The Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has been control of an almost 600-km Arabian Sea coastline for a year.
The control of Mukalla was achieved with the help of air and ground strikes.