Al Qaeda says U.S. operation in Baida serve Houthis

Al Qaeda in Yemen announced that the US military operation, which took place on Sunday targeting its fighters in al-Baida province, actually served the Houthi rebels in the region.

Al Qaeda pointed out that the recent military operation comes in the framework of an American several-months long campaign targeting the Al Qaeda militants in al-Baida province to drive them from the region and allow the Houthis to control it.

The extremist group accused the United States of supporting the Houthis to seize the region after they have been ousted by the Al Qaeda militants two years ago. The group added that such operation has been repeated over the past two years in Radaa and Shabwa, which shows the US intentions to support the Houthis in the country.

The US has carried out a commando raid on an al-Qaeda stronghold in central Yemen, killing 14 militants, while one US soldier died and three were injured, the military says.

Several Apache helicopters were reported to have taken part in the operation in al-Baida province.

Three al-Qaeda leaders were among those killed in a battle lasting 45 minutes in a village in Yakla district. Earlier reports suggested a higher death toll. US drones have carried out periodic attacks on al-Qaeda in Yemen. Leading al-Qaeda figure Abdul Raouf al-Dhahab was among those killed in the night-time operation in which drones were also used.

Since the country has been plagued by clashes between forces loyal to the internationally recognized Yemeni president backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and Shia Houthi rebels, Al-Qaeda took advantage of the chaos caused by the conflict to entrench its presence in the south and south-east.