The security authorities have arrested Al-Qaida leader involved in assassinating a senior Yemeni military commander in the south this week, security sources said.
Sami Dayan was the head of the terrorist cell behind the suicide bombing which killed Salim Qatan, commander of the southern military region, the sources said.
Dayan and two of his assistants were arrested at a checkpoint in Aden and explosives and ammunition were seized with them, they said.
"The group fled from Abyan after the army drove all militants from their strongholds two weeks ago and had planned for more suicide bombings," the sources added.
The three terrorists were inside the same car which carried the suicide bomber, who killed the commander, and were seen in Aden searching for an apartment for rent, the sources said.
Al-Qaida has claimed responsibility for the assassination of Qatan and other security leaders and vowed to attack more senior military and security commanders in Yemen.
After Al-Qaida militants received severe blows in Abyan, the retreated to hideouts and secret positions in nearby provinces and now the authorities are continuing a hunt to clear them from all parts in the country.
In the past few days, the authorities dismantled terrorist groups and thwarted suicide plots.
In the US-backed offensive in Abyan over the past few months, hundreds of militants including senior leaders were killed.