In a leaflet it distributed in Shabwa province, Ansar Sharia extremist group based in Yemen’s southern province of Abyan, denied that terror suspect Ibrahim Banna was killed in the UD drone attack two weeks ago.

Banna was considered the top media officer for AQAP and his killing was hailed by the Yemen government. He was suspected killed during a US drone attack in Shabwa two weeks ago.

This is not the first time Banna has been announced dead, while experts believe the regime fabricated his story to receive more International support at a time when opposition forces are calling for change.

Ansar Sharia took over a large portion of the province late May after government forces suddenly evacuated the majority of its forces from there.

Nabil Bukairi, an AQAP experts based in Sana’a said that Ansar Sharia would not lie about the claims that Banna was alive. “The group has nothing to loose by staying quiet after the announcing of Banna's death but for it to come out with a statement is only proof that they are confident in their claims.”