ADEN (AFP) - An air strike believed to have been carried out by a United States drone in south Yemen on Thursday (Feb 4) killed a prominent chief of Al-Qaeda's branch in the war-torn country, a family member said.

Jalal Belaidi, alias Abu Hamza, a top commander of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, was killed along with two guards in the air strike on the Maraqesha area of Abyan province, the relative said.