Update 1 Tariq Fathli killed in south Yemen

Tariq al-Fathli, an al-Qaeda leader in South Yemen, was killed by tribal forces allied with the government, a security officer said.

The officer, quoting a secretary of the Minister of Interior, said that al-Fathli was killed at 7:30 pm on Monday by the Popular Forces, tribal militia that fought al-Qaeda, after they besieged his house. 

Fathli was reported to have entered Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan province, along with his armed men, angering the Popular Forces who warned to use force if Fathli did not leave.

The officer, speaking anonymously, said the Office Director of Deputy Minister of Interior Ministry, Ali Naser al-Lakhsha'a -an Abyan citizen, informed him that the Popular Forces were joined by government troops when they raided Fathli's house.
"But the Popular Forces were the ones leading the raid and killed al-Fathli," the officer said. The other two houses of Fadli are still under siege with Fathli's fighters inside.  

The government forces took Fathli's body and returned to Aden, the officer confirmed.
The officer said he had been in contact with those carrying Fathli's body to the neighboring province of Aden and they confirmed Fathli's death.

A local tribal man said he contacted one of Fathli's guards but he was in a different district of Zinjibar. "One of his [Fathli] guards confirmed he was besieged but said he could not make sure whether he was killed or not," the tribal man said.
Tariq al-Fadhli, a veteran worrier who fought alongside Arabs fighters in Afghanistan, declared his support for al-Qaeda militants last year.

The officer said that Deputy Governor of Shabwa province, Abd Rabu Salim al-Zabidi, confirmed he was killed.

Three fighters of al-Fathli who were in the other two houses, besieged by the Popular Forces, have been arrested.  He said there is no accurate information regarding casualties so far.

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