The explosion occurred during a period of high insurgency from rebel forces and Islamist movements in Southern Yemen, in addition to an ongoing government crackdown on al-Qaeda.
Following clashes near the town of Jaʽār, the Yemeni Air Force bombed the area earlier in the day of the explosion.
According to Al Jazeera, the initial fire was reportedly triggered by a local resident dropping a lit cigarette while inside the looted factory,[1][9] as some were checking the site for weapons,[2] which soon led to an explosion.
[7] Abyan's Deputy Governor Saleh al-Samty placed blame on the national government for creating a lack of order in southern Yemen caused by heightened security countrywide.
[14] The Joint Meeting Parties opposition group (JMP) blamed the incident on government military withdrawal in the south.