US drone kills al-Qaeda leader in south Yemen

A U.S. drone attack killed brother of al-Qaeda leader in south Yemen on Saturday morning, said a security source.

A security officer said that Abdulraoof Ahmad Nasser al-Thahab, brother of al-Qaeda leader in Radaa’ district of al-Baidha province, was driving his car in the town when the drone attacked him.

 “Information right now indicates that Abdulraoof along with three other al-Qaeda members were killed while they were outside Radaa’,” said the officer on anonymity condition.

The officer said the attack that took place in Almanasih area of Qaifah, al-Qaeda main stronghold.

The news couldn’t be verified by tribal sources from Radaa’.

The officer said Abdulraoof was the prominent figure who has been the actual al-Qaeda leader after his brother, Tariq, was killed in a family dispute in February 2012.

Over 13 civilians were killed by a U.S. drone attack last week in the same area.
The U.S. drone campaign in Yemen has increased during Yemen political turmoil that has helped al-Qaeda expands control over large areas in the south.   

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