Yemeni soldiers man a checkpoint in al-Mahfad in the southern Yemeni province of Abyan May 23, 2014.

:: Yemen forces backed by Arab coalition forces concluded Operation Sweeping Torrent to purge Abyan of al-Qaeda remnants and accomplished major victories in record time.

The UAE’s news agency said Al Mahfad District, Abyan’s largest districts, and Wadi Hamra were completely purged of al-Qaeda.

Operation Sweeping Torrent is one of the most significant military operations in Yemen as it succeeded in eliminating al-Qaeda’s presence in Abyan and Shabwa. Wadi Al Masini in Hadhramaut was also purged of al-Qaeda during Operation Decisive Sword.

Warehouses containing large amounts of missiles, ammunition and explosives were seized during the operation against the group and several al-Qaeda members, including commanders, were killed and detained.