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Yemen Launches Air Strike on Home of Al-Qaida Leader

   VOA News 20 January 2010

   Yemen has launched an air strike on the house of a suspected leader of
   the Yemen-based wing of al-Qaida.
   Yemeni  forces  targeted  the  home  of  Ayed al-Shabwani Wednesday in
   Maarib province, east of Sana'a.
   The  suspected  senior member of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula was
   one  of six militants the Yemeni government said died in an air strike
   last  week.   Al-Qaida  said  none  of  its members were killed in the
   strike.
   Yemen increased operations against al-Qaida after the Yemen-based wing
   of  the  group  said  it  was  behind  the attempted bombing of a U.S.
   passenger jet late last month.
   Meanwhile,  Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown says his country has
   suspended direct flights from Yemen until security is improved.
   Mr.  Brown  told parliament that British officials agreed with Yemenia
   Airlines to suspend flights to Britain immediately.
   On Monday, Yemen's interior minister said the country will continue to
   carry  out  strikes  against al-Qaida as long as the militant group is
   threatening the country's security.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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