Yemen arrests 'dangerous' Al-Qaeda leader
Sanaa, Dec 1 (ANI)
Security forces in southern Yemen have reportedly arrested a "dangerous" Al Qaida chief who took part in several attacks.
According to the state-run media, police said Sulaiman Hassan Mohammad Morshad Awadh, also known as Abu Osama Al Abiye, was "one of the most dangerous members of Al-Qaeda and involved in several terrorist operations."
Police said that Awadh, whose name figured on a wanted list, was arrested in Zinjibar, capital of Abyan province, Gulf News reports.
Before a counter-offensive by the army earlier this year, Al-Qaeda held large swathes of southern Yemen, the report said.
But since its loss of a string of towns near the port city of Aden in June, most have fled into desert regions farther east, it added.
According to the report, Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), regarded as Al-Qaeda's strongest regional wing, has mounted operations in Saudi Arabia and tried to launch attacks against the US.
Restoring stability in Yemen is a priority for Washington and its Gulf allies because of its strategic position next to top oil exporter Saudi Arabia and major shipping lanes.