Al-Mahra – A senior figure in Al-Qaeda’s Yemeni branch has been assassinated in what appears to be part of a widening internal purge within the militant organization, according to local media reports.

Abdul Salam Al-Khashi, known by his nom de guerre Shaddad Al-Khoulani, was reportedly shot dead by unknown assailants in the eastern province of Al-Mahra. The killing has sent shockwaves through Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which has faced mounting internal divisions and leadership disputes in recent months.

Yemeni media outlets cited unnamed security sources who confirmed the incident, describing it as a targeted killing that may be linked to factional infighting. Al-Khoulani was considered a prominent operational commander with deep ties to AQAP’s tribal networks and logistical routes in eastern Yemen.

No group has claimed responsibility for the assassination, and AQAP has yet to issue an official statement. However, analysts suggest the killing reflects growing instability within the organization, which has suffered setbacks from both counterterrorism operations and internal dissent.

The province of Al-Mahra, long viewed as a strategic corridor for smuggling and militant movement, has witnessed a surge in covert activity in recent weeks. Local authorities have not commented publicly on the incident, but tribal sources indicate heightened tensions in the area.

This latest development follows a series of mysterious disappearances and leadership reshuffles within AQAP, raising questions about the group’s cohesion and future trajectory amid Yemen’s complex conflict landscape.