Yemeni forces on Friday killed a top al-Qaida commander during a nighttime raid in Sana’a, a spokesperson said.
Shayef Mohammed Said al-Shabwani was believed to be behind a number of kidnap attempts against Western diplomats and was “one of al-Qaida’s most dangerous and wanted commanders, suspected of involvement in abductions and killings of Yemeni police and foreigners,” the spokesperson told Saba news agency.
The commander was killed after being stopped by security forces near the presidential palace and resisting arrest in a gun battle.
Yemen’s security forces triggered retaliation threats from militants since the army launched a high-key offensive against extremists, AFP reports.
