On July 29, Yemeni tribal sources confirmed that Abu Awad Saleh al-Tusli, a high-ranking al-Qaeda leader, was killed in a clash with Yemeni security forces in the al-Masina’a area of Shabwa Governorate, southeastern Yemen. Al-Tusli was considered one of the most dangerous al-Qaeda leaders and had been using the mountains between Abyan and Shabwa as a hideout.
The sources reported that the clashes began on the previous Friday after suspicious movements were detected near Yemeni forces’ positions in the “Ard Al Ghasil” area of the Hatib district. Al-Tusli and several of his companions were killed during a direct confrontation with military security forces in Al-Masina’a.
Al-Qaeda had previously established a stronghold in the mountainous Al-Musayna’a area, but it was liberated by Yemeni security and military forces. However, remnants of the organization continued to operate in the mountains spanning Shabwa, Abyan, and Al-Bayda Governorates, which has become a hub for both al-Qaeda and ISIS. With the Houthis’ protection and coordination, these remnants have carried out attacks against government forces using various tactics, including booby-trapped mines and drones.
Al-Qaeda acknowledged al-Tusli’s death on social media, referring to him as the “Emir of al-Musayna’a”. Prior to his death, al-Tusli had attempted to carry out attacks using explosive devices and car bombs, but these attempts were thwarted by government forces.
The news of al-Tusli’s death comes as the US State Department announced an increase in the reward for information leading to the capture of Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The reward has been raised to $10 million, with the possibility of relocation to a safe location. Al-Awlaki is wanted for his role in leading attacks against the US and kidnapping American and Western nationals in Yemen.
The US State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program has also offered rewards for information on other high-ranking al-Qaeda leaders, including Ibrahim al-Banna ($5 million) and Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud al-Qosi ($4 million). The program, which has been in operation since 1984, has contributed to the dismantling of terrorist networks through rewards totaling over $250 million for information leading to the capture of approximately 125 individuals.
This escalation comes within the broader context of the pursuit of Al-Qaeda elements in Yemen, amid international concerns about the group’s growing influence as a result of the security vacuum and institutional collapse in the country.