Al-Qaeda leader killed by drug traffickers’ fire in Hadramout

HADHRAMAUT, March 11 (YPA) – A senior leader in Terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)  has been killed in clashes with armed gangs in the province of Hadhramaut,  eastern Yemen.

This was reported by Yemen News Portal on Friday, based on testimonies of local sources.

According to the local sources in Hadhramaut, the clashes broke out between Al-Qaeda elements and drug dealers, which resulted in the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Tariq bin Salmeen Al- Khathiri.

The clashes erupted following a dispute between drug traffickers and elements of Al-Qaeda in the area of  Jadbat  Al-Saqqaan in  the Hadhramaut valley.

Al- Khathir tribe  is one of the largest of the Hadhramaut Valley tribes and has lost a large number of leadership due to the deterioration of security in across  Hadhramaut, which has become the scene of terrorist groups and drug traffickers.

Hadhramaut Province, particularly the Valley region, is a stronghold of Al-Qaeda elements active in the province because of their attractive environment and vast mountainous geographical area.

E.M