Yemen: Arrest of a leader of Al-Qaeda who was wanted

   "Mohammad Ahmed al-Hanak and two others who were injured were detained in a hospital in the province of Amran in Raida," the source told AFP under condition of anonymity.

   Officials had said that during the operation Monday in Arhab (40 km north of Sanaa), two suspected members of the cell led by al-Hanak had been killed and two others wounded had been arrested on the spot.

   The American Embassy closed Sunday reopened Tuesday in welcoming the success of an antiterrorist operation of Yemeni security forces north of Sanaa, referring to the Arhab attack.

   During this operation, the alleged leader of the cell had managed to flee, according to Yemeni authorities.

   In addition, the department announced the continuation of a broad antiterrorist operation in several provinces of the country, saying it was aimed at "putting pressure on terrorists in order to prevent them from rebuilding their cells and to catch their breath".

   According to security sources, the operations are concentrated in the provinces of Jouf, Marib, Chabwa and Abyan, north-west and east of the capital Sanaa.

   Tuesday at the reopening of the U.S. Embassy, the Ministry of Interior said they had circled «terrorist elements of Al Qaeda network in all places and in all regions where they can find. "The hunt for these elements is conducted 24/24 hours and operations against their strongholds are run daily," he added.

   "Over the last two days, five terrorists elements have been arrested in the provinces of Sana’a, Hodeida (west) and in the capital," said the ministry, saying such operations would continue "until the eradication of terrorism and terrorist elements."

   In the same text, the department reported having tightened security around embassies and places frequented by foreigners.

    
Ennaharonline/ M. O.