almotamar.net - Air forces have carried out an air strike in Shabwa governorate killing a leader of al-Qaeda, a military official said on Wednesday.

The air strike killed a number of al-Qaeda militants, including al-Qaeda leader in Shabwa "Mahdi Badas", also known as Abu Hussein, the official told the Defense Ministry website.

The strike is part of the army's operation against the remaining of al-Qaeda members. Last April, the armed forces, baked by popular committees, launched a major offensive against al-Qaeda fighters in Shabwa and some districts in the neighboring Abyan governorate.

Some 500 al-Qaeda militants and 39 others were arrested in the offensive that lasts over 40 days. Almost 40 soldiers were killed.