Yemen descends into chaos as Al Qaeda seize control of major airport, sea port and oil terminal *
Al Qaida seized control of an airport, sea port and oil terminal in Yemen
* Latest advance marks a major gain for Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula
* Came amid chaos pitting rebels against forces loyal to exiled presidentBy Jenny Stanton For Mailonline
Published: 16:18 EST, 16 April 2015 | Updated: 16:19 EST, 16 April 2015
The terrorist group Al Qaida seized control of a major airport, sea port and oil terminal in southern Yemen today, consolidating its hold on the country's largest province.
It came amid wider chaos pitting Shiite rebels against forces loyal to the exiled president and a Saudi-led air campaign.
Military officials and residents said Al Qaida fighters clashed briefly with members of one of Yemen's largest brigades outside Mukalla, a city the militants overran earlier this month and where they freed prison inmates.
The militants then seized control of the Riyan airport and moved to secure their hold on the city's main sea port, which is also an oil terminal.
Security officials said the leaders of the brigade in charge of protecting the entire area fled.
The latest advance marks a major gain for Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, as the Yemeni affiliate is known.
The group has exploited the chaos in Yemen, where Shiite rebels, along with allied military units loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, captured the capital in September and have been advancing despite a three-week Saudi-led air campaign.
The rebels are staunch opponents of Al Qaida but are currently locked in fierce battles with forces loyal to Yemen's internationally recognised President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who fled to Saudi Arabia last month. ...
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