Government media outlets announced that security forces succeeded in killing Waleed Osairi, one of the most wanted al-Qaeda suspects in Wednesday night clashes in Abyan province.

Osairi was on the Yemeni and Saudi most wanted terror list. He was considered one of the leading al-Qaeda field commanders.

The Defense Ministry has not yet commented on the death of Osairi.

Clashes in Abyan have been ongoing for the last 40 days as Islamic militants still control large areas of the province. More than 150 government soldiers have been killed in the ongoing clashes.

At least 40,000 Abyan residents fled the province to neighboring Aden escaping death.