The head of Yemen's branch of al-Qaeda, Khalid al-Batarfi, is dead, the group announced late Sunday.
Al-Qaeda released a video showing al-Batarfi wrapped in a white funeral shroud and al-Qaida's black-and-white flag.
The militant group said in the video, "Allah took his soul while he patiently sought his reward and stood firm, immigrated, garrisoned, and waged jihad for His sake."
Al-Qaeda provided no details on the cause of his death, and there was no clear sign of trauma visible on his face. The deceased Al-Qaeda leader was believed to be in his early 40s. al-Batarfi had a $5 million bounty on his head from the U.S. government over leading the group.
Al-Batarfi became the head of Al-Qaeda in Yemen in February 2020. He succeeded Qassim al-Rimi, who was killed by a U.S. drone strike ordered by then-President Donald Trump.
The group declared that Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki would take over as its leader. Al-Awlaki had publicly called for attacks against the United States and its allies. The U.S. has a $6 million bounty on him.
Al-Batarfi traveled to Afghanistan in 1999 to fight for the Taliban against the U.S.-led invasion. He joined AQAP in 2010 and commanded Al-Qaeda militants to take over Yemen's Abyan province, according to reports.
Meanwhile, tribal mediation in Shabwah on Saturday succeeded in releasing two persons whom Al-Qaeda kidnapped while they were passing through Wadi Khoura in Markha Alsufla district in February.
Local sources said that mediation led by social leaders was able to convince the kidnappers to release Ahmed Al-Khulaifi and Aseel Al-Sulaimani.
Though Al-Qaeda in Yemen seems to have weakened, its military capabilities have grown.Sheba Intelligence revealed in a report in September last year that Al-Qaeda in South Yemen had built up its military power in an unprecedented manner and began using drones for the first time.
The report said, "After a stagnation of its activities between 2019 and 2021 - to the point where it was considered in its "weakest phase since it announced its existence in 2009"- AQAP has reappeared in the southern Yemeni governorates. It seems more organized, with a hazardous armament owned by one of its most crucial branches."
The report documented eight drone attacks launched by Al-Qaeda in the Al-Musaina District of Shabwa Governorate in May, June, and July.
Al-Qaeda's use of drones does not threaten Yemen alone. Instead, it has become a threat to the national security of the oil-rich Arabian Peninsula, as the group has changed strategy and transferred its activities to the southern provinces instead of attacking the "Ansar Allah" Houthi movement in Al-Bayda.
According to UN estimates, AQAP's total forces are between 3,000 and 4,000 active fighters and passive members. UN reports also say that the group raises money by robbing banks and money exchange shops, as well as smuggling weapons, counterfeiting currencies, and ransom operations.