ADEN, Mar 19 (NNN-YPA) – A senior commander of the Yemen-based al-Qaeda branch was killed, in armed confrontation yesterday, with the Houthi militia for seizing key areas in the country’s oil-rich province of Marib, a military official said.
“Ferocious fighting erupted between the Houthi rebels and some fighters belonging to the al-Qaeda group, in the southern parts of Marib, during the past several hours,” the local military source said, on condition of anonymity.
The clashes resulted in the killing of Ibrahim Ali al-Salafi, also known as Ammar al-San’ani, who was in charge the military affairs of the terrorist group, the source said.
Al-Salafi was killed while fighting beside his supporters, against the Houthis’ continuing military advancement towards Marib, he said.
“A number of long-time strongholds of al-Qaeda in Marib were also raided by the Houthi rebel fighters in recent days, sparking a major conflict,” he added.
According to Yemeni officials, as the Yemen-based al-Qaeda’s third in command, al-Salafi’s death deals a heavy setback to the terrorist group’s apparent attempts, to gain ground.
The Yemen-based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) network, has been responsible for many high-profile attacks against the newly-recruited security forces, particularly in the country’s southern provinces.
The AQAP exploited years of deadly conflict between the Yemeni government and Houthi militia, to expand its presence in the war-ravaged Arab country.– NNN-YPA