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Al-Qaida frees senior terrorist in Yemen prison swoop Al-Qaida fighters free senior leader in Yemen prison break
(about 5 hours later)
Al-Qaida militants have stormed a prison in south-eastern Yemen, freeing several hundred inmates including one of their leaders, a security official said.Al-Qaida militants have stormed a prison in south-eastern Yemen, freeing several hundred inmates including one of their leaders, a security official said.
Khalid Batarfi, a senior al-Qaida figure who had been held for more than four years, was among more than 300 prisoners who escaped from the jail in Hadramawt province, the official said on Thursday.Khalid Batarfi, a senior al-Qaida figure who had been held for more than four years, was among more than 300 prisoners who escaped from the jail in Hadramawt province, the official said on Thursday.
Two prison guards and five inmates were killed in the clashes.Two prison guards and five inmates were killed in the clashes.
Batarfi is one of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula’s (AQAP) top regional commanders. He is known for his leading role in a 2011to 2012 battle with Yemeni government troops during which extremists seized large parts of the south and east.Batarfi is one of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula’s (AQAP) top regional commanders. He is known for his leading role in a 2011to 2012 battle with Yemeni government troops during which extremists seized large parts of the south and east.
Al-Qaida militants also clashed with troops guarding the local administration complex in the provincial capital of Mukalla, a branch of the central bank and the police headquarters on Thursday, the official said.Al-Qaida militants also clashed with troops guarding the local administration complex in the provincial capital of Mukalla, a branch of the central bank and the police headquarters on Thursday, the official said.
Fighting also broke out at the harbour and around the presidential palace in Mukalla. The militants met no resistance as they seized the local radio headquarters, the official said, adding that broadcasting was interrupted.Fighting also broke out at the harbour and around the presidential palace in Mukalla. The militants met no resistance as they seized the local radio headquarters, the official said, adding that broadcasting was interrupted.
Yemen has descended further into chaos since a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes a week ago against positions held by Shia Houthi rebels and their allies.Yemen has descended further into chaos since a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes a week ago against positions held by Shia Houthi rebels and their allies.
The rebels battled their way into the heart of Yemen’s main southern city of Aden where fighting raged on Thursday. The advance comes despite the air strikes aimed at preventing the fall of the president, Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has taken refuge in Riyadh.The rebels battled their way into the heart of Yemen’s main southern city of Aden where fighting raged on Thursday. The advance comes despite the air strikes aimed at preventing the fall of the president, Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has taken refuge in Riyadh.
The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and allied army units loyal to the former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, were advancing on the presidential palace after seizing the key district of Khormaksar, home to several foreign consulates and UN offices, residents said.The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and allied army units loyal to the former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, were advancing on the presidential palace after seizing the key district of Khormaksar, home to several foreign consulates and UN offices, residents said.