The armed and security forces, backed by the people's committees, on Wednesday purged Wadi Dayqah in Abyan of the al-Qaeda elements. The troops managed to cleans the Wadi Dayqah, after combing al-Qaeda-controlled areas, including al-Khayalah and al-Jawmarah areas. Commander of the 4th Military Region Maj. Gen. Mahmoud al-Subyhi and Governor of Abyan Jamal al-Aqel confirmed that Mahfad district became under the control of the army and free of the terrorist elements. Mahfad, a mountainous area in Abyan province, with Azzan area in the adjacent province of Shabwa, was al-Qaeda main stronghold in Yemen. It was one of the main targets of the army's offensive launched last Tuesday aimed at eradicating al-Qaida militants and destroying their remaining hideouts in Abyan and Shabwa provinces. During a week-long heavy fighting, dozens of al-Qaeda fighters, including leaders, have been killed or arrested. Many of them were foreigners, according to military officials.