Security forces operating in and around Aden under the control of minister of state Hani Bin Breik (aka Hizam Al-Amny or ‘Security Zone’) have borne the brunt of casualties fighting Ansar Al-Sharia (AAS), particularly in Abyan and Lahj provinces. The series of counter-terrorism operations have, however, led to the capture or killing of a number of Jihadist leaders, including Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) ‘emir’ in Lahj and Abu Ali Al-Lahaji, who was killed on 31 January.