SANAA, Yemen — Six al Qaeda operatives, including a senior leader from Yemen’s eastern province, have been captured in the Arab nation, FOX News Channel confirmed Tuesday.
“The terrorism suspects have been carrying out surveillance, and planning missions aimed at targeting government and high-ranking security officials,” said a statement from the Yemeni embassy in Washington, D.C.
“Furthermore the cell was planning on orchestrating attacks on foreign missions and critical state installations,” it added.
Among those captured was Musaed al Barbari, the leader of al Qaeda in the eastern Yemeni province of Jawf. Authorities say he planned and executed an attack on Sanaa International Airport in 2009. He was found in possession of a cache of weapons and explosives, as well as training and recruiting manuals.
The suspects are accused of recruiting individuals for Ansar al Sharia (Supporters of Islamic Sharia law), FOX News reported. Not much is known about the group, but it is believed to be part of an effort to rebrand al Qaeda to draw in more recruits.