Yemen captures al-Qaida suspect linked to assassinating army general
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E-mail Xinhua, October 9, 2012
Yemen captures al-Qaida suspect linked to assassinating army general
ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni security forces captured Monday a leading member of the al-Qaida group allegedly linked to a suicide bombing that assassinated an army general earlier this year in the southern port city of Aden, a government official told Xinhua.
Soldiers of the counter-terrorism unit arrested a member of the Yemen-based al-Qaida wing suspected of links to a suicide bombing attack that killed Major General Salim Ali Qatan, the commander of military forces in southern regions earlier this year in Aden, the government official said, requesting anonymity.
Initial investigations show that the captured al-Qaida member involved and participated in the preparations for the suicide attack that claimed the life of Qatan, who led a military assault against the al-Qaida militants in Abyan province, the government official said.
"The arrest took place when security troops stormed a residential compound in Aden following intelligence tips. The arrested man in police custody now," the source added.
Earlier this year, the al-Qaida terrorist group claimed responsibility for assassinating Major General Salim Qatan, the commander of the military forces in south Yemen.
The resurgent branch of al-Qaida which has increased its attacks on both Western and government targets in the Arabian Peninsula state also vowed to carry out more suicide attacks.
The month-long army offensive forced the al-Qaida militants to flee several bastions in the country's restive southern and eastern provinces which they captured during last year's political turmoil.
The al-Qaida militants remain in control of the smaller town of Mahfad in Abyan and other mountainous areas in neighboring southeastern Shabwa province.
Fighting al-Qaida militants in restive south is one of several challenges confronting current President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has promised to launch a national dialogue to settle disputes between all political factions. Also, he has sworn to uproot the Yemeni branch of al-Qaida. Enditem
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