Leader of the Islamic State extremist organization in Yemen has been captured in a joint-Saudi-Yemeni operation inside Yemeni territory, a Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi rebels said on Tuesday.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said Abu Usama al-Muhajir and other members of the terrorist organization were arrested on June 3, official Saudi news agency SPA reported.
The operation came after “the continuous watching of a house revealed that the leader of the organization, other members as well as three women and three children were inside it,” Malki said.
Weapons, ammunition, electronic and telecommunication devices were seized in the operation, he added.
Yemen, one of the Arab world’s poorest countries, has been in the grip of a devastating power struggle between the Saudi-backed government and the Houthis since late 2014.
The Saudi-led alliance has been leading a military campaign against the Houthis since March 2015.
dpa/NAN
