Yemen bombs Al Qaeda leader's home

January 20, 2010

By Anne Barker and Emma Alberici

Posted 35 minutes ago

Yemen's air force bombed the home of an Al Qaeda leader as it steps up its

campaign against the militant organisation.

The Yemeni government has declared war on Al Qaeda - under pressure from the US

- since the militant group's local branch claimed responsibility for the failed

bombing of a US-bound plane on Christmas Day.

The Yemeni air force targeted the house of Ayed al-Shabwani, an Al Qaeda leader

in an eastern province.

But there was no word on whether he was inside at the time.

Western powers fear Yemen could become a failed state, which could assist Al

Qaeda to strengthen its hold in the country.

Yemen is already fighting a Shiite insurgency in the north and a separatist

movement in the south.

Meanwhile British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has suspended flights between

Yemen and the UK as part of a range of measures to enhance security after the

failed attack.

He also announced a new " no fly " list to stop suspected terrorists from boarding

flights to the UK.

Mr Brown, who will next week host an international conference to strengthen

support for Yemen, said new full body scanners will be introduced at British

airports at the end of the month.

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