Five Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula members killed in Yemen - Pentagon

WASHINGTON, Dec 8 (KUNA) -- Up to five Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula operatives in Yemen were killed by US airstrikes in an effort "to disrupt the terrorist's attack networks," the Pentagon announced Friday.
The US Central Command said in a statement Mujahid Al-Adani, an Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Shabwah leader, was killed in the strikes in Al-Bayda governorate in November 20, along with Al-Bayda-based facilitator Abu Layth Al-Sanaani and three terrorist network associates.
It indicated that Al-Adani, also known as Mohammad Shukri, previously served as an Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula military leader in Aden "and remained responsible for planning and conducting terrorist attacks against Yemeni and coalition forces." He also maintained "a significant influence within Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula as well as close ties to other terrorist network senior leaders," according to the statement.
It stressed that the Shabwah offensive "has forced Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to consolidate within the northern and eastern portions of the Abyan and eastern Al-Bayda governorates, respectively." It affirmed that the removal of key Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula leaders and associates in this region "will further degrade the terrorist network's freedom of movement and operation, limiting their ability to challenge Yemeni security forces and coalition advances." (end) si.bs