Al Raimi, 31, was said to have been killed with five of his Al Qaida
colleagues. They said Al Raimi, who escaped prison in 2006, escaped
assassination in December 2009 and had been the target of a nationwide
manhunt.
Officials said Al Raimi played a major role in the merger between the Al
Qaida networks in Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. They said Al Raimi
planned a campaign that targeted U.S. and other Western diplomats in Yemen.
Another Al Qaida casualty was identified as Amar Al Waeli, regarded as a
leading insurgent in Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. Al Waeli has been
sought for a 2007 suicide bombing that killed eight Spanish tourists.
"Efforts were underway to identify the body," the Yemeni Interior
Ministry said.
Other dead operatives were identified as Saleh Al Tais, Eid Jaber Al
Shabwani, Abdullah Hadi Al Tais, and Abu Ayman Al Masri. In all, four of the
casualties were on Yemen's most-wanted list.
The Yemeni air strike came amid intensified U.S. military and security
aid to Sanaa in the war against Al Qaida. Officials said the administration
of President Barack Obama has promised to send about $150 million in
military and security aid during 2010.
