Two Al-Qaeda leaders killed in Yemeni airstrike

Saana (Yemen)/ Washington, Mar 15(ANI): At least two Al-Qaeda leaders have been reportedly killed in an airstrike launched by the Yemeni Air Force in its Abyan Province on Sunday.

In a statement released by Yemen's embassy in Washington, the Air Force had struck at an Al-Qaeda hideout ahead of a likely terror attack.

"Al-Qaeda group was planning an imminent attack on a strategic installation in retaliation for stepped-up counterterrorism efforts," The Fox News quoted the statement, as saying.

Yemen has recently boosted its counterterrorism efforts and is working along with U.S. intelligence officials following the expansion of Al-Qaeda network in the country.

The Al-Qaeda division in Yemen has been linked to the failed bombing attempt on a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day.

It has also been the subject of increased concern by U.S. counterterrorism officials. (ANI)