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Yemen al-Qaeda: US commandos raid stronghold | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The US has carried out a commando raid on an al-Qaeda stronghold in central Yemen, killing 14 militants, the military says. | |
One US soldier died and three were injured. | |
Several Apache helicopters were reported to have taken part in the operation in al-Baida province. | |
Three al-Qaeda leaders were among those killed in a battle lasting 45 minutes in a village in Yakla district. Earlier reports suggested a higher death toll. | |
US drones have carried out periodic attacks on al-Qaeda in Yemen. | |
Local sources earlier said 41 militants and 16 civilians were killed. | |
A provincial official said the helicopters targeted a hospital, school and mosque. | |
Leading al-Qaeda figure Abdul Raouf al-Dhahab was among those killed in the night-time operation in which drones were also used. | |
Al-Qaeda has taken advantage of the chaos caused by the conflict in Yemen to entrench its presence in the south and south-east. | |
For the past two years, the country has been embroiled in fighting between forces loyal to the internationally recognised president, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and Shia Houthi rebels. | For the past two years, the country has been embroiled in fighting between forces loyal to the internationally recognised president, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and Shia Houthi rebels. |
Iran rejects accusations of supporting the rebels. | Iran rejects accusations of supporting the rebels. |
This would be the first such raid since President Donald Trump took office on 20 January. |