This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8455822.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| 'Al-Qaeda chief' killed in Yemen | 'Al-Qaeda chief' killed in Yemen |
| (about 22 hours later) | |
| The alleged leader of an al-Qaeda cell in Yemen has been killed in an exchange of fire with security forces, according to a provincial governor. | The alleged leader of an al-Qaeda cell in Yemen has been killed in an exchange of fire with security forces, according to a provincial governor. |
| Abdullah Mehdar is said to have been the leader of an al-Qaeda group in the province of Shabwa, 375 miles (600km) east of the capital, Sanaa. | Abdullah Mehdar is said to have been the leader of an al-Qaeda group in the province of Shabwa, 375 miles (600km) east of the capital, Sanaa. |
| Reports said four other members of the same cell had been arrested. | Reports said four other members of the same cell had been arrested. |
| In another incident, two soldiers were reportedly killed in an ambush near Ataq, the provincial capital. | In another incident, two soldiers were reportedly killed in an ambush near Ataq, the provincial capital. |
| The governor of Shabwa, Ali Hassan al-Ahmadi, said: "Abdullah Mehdar was killed last night by security forces, which had besieged the house he hid in." | The governor of Shabwa, Ali Hassan al-Ahmadi, said: "Abdullah Mehdar was killed last night by security forces, which had besieged the house he hid in." |
| Under pressure | Under pressure |
| Security officials said Yemeni forces had surrounded the house, in a mountainous region, and exchanged fire with some 20 militants inside. | Security officials said Yemeni forces had surrounded the house, in a mountainous region, and exchanged fire with some 20 militants inside. |
| The remaining militants escaped. The Spanish news agency, EFE, said one member of the security forces had been killed in the operation. | The remaining militants escaped. The Spanish news agency, EFE, said one member of the security forces had been killed in the operation. |
| It quoted local news agencies saying the dead militant had been one of the top al-Qaeda leaders in Yemen. | It quoted local news agencies saying the dead militant had been one of the top al-Qaeda leaders in Yemen. |
| But a local tribal leader told Associated Press news agency Mehdar and the arrested men were not "active members" of al-Qaeda. | But a local tribal leader told Associated Press news agency Mehdar and the arrested men were not "active members" of al-Qaeda. |
| "They were young men who went astray, but I don't think they were really members of al-Qaeda," Sheik Atiq Baadha said. | "They were young men who went astray, but I don't think they were really members of al-Qaeda," Sheik Atiq Baadha said. |
| He said local leaders could have handed over the men if they had been approached, and warned that sympathy for al-Qaeda could increase if government forces continued with their current tactics. | He said local leaders could have handed over the men if they had been approached, and warned that sympathy for al-Qaeda could increase if government forces continued with their current tactics. |
| On Tuesday, Yemen's foreign minister renewed a call for dialogue with al-Qaeda militants, provided they downed weapons and renounced violence. | On Tuesday, Yemen's foreign minister renewed a call for dialogue with al-Qaeda militants, provided they downed weapons and renounced violence. |
| But, he added, if they refused, government forces would continue to pursue them. | But, he added, if they refused, government forces would continue to pursue them. |
| The spotlight was turned on Yemen after the Yemen-based group Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said it had carried out a failed bomb attack on a US-bound airliner on 25 December. | The spotlight was turned on Yemen after the Yemen-based group Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said it had carried out a failed bomb attack on a US-bound airliner on 25 December. |
| Earlier this week, President Barack Obama said he had "no intention" of sending US troops to Yemen or Somalia to combat militant groups in those countries. | Earlier this week, President Barack Obama said he had "no intention" of sending US troops to Yemen or Somalia to combat militant groups in those countries. |
| Analysts say al-Qaeda militants have been moving to Yemen after coming under pressure in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and following a crackdown in Saudi Arabia. | Analysts say al-Qaeda militants have been moving to Yemen after coming under pressure in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and following a crackdown in Saudi Arabia. |
| Last week, Yemeni officials said another local al-Qaeda leader and two other militants had been arrested after being injured in a raid 25 miles (40km) north of Sanaa. | Last week, Yemeni officials said another local al-Qaeda leader and two other militants had been arrested after being injured in a raid 25 miles (40km) north of Sanaa. |