The Saudi-led military coalition on Sunday claimed to have arrested prominent leaders and members of Al Qaeda during raids in support of anti-terrorism forces in Yemen, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Amongst those arrested was Ahmed Saeed Awad Barhamah, alias Zarqawi, a prominent leader of the militant group, the agency said, quoting a statement issued by the coalition.

The arrests were made during the coalition's air operation in the city of Mukalla conducted to support a primitive operation of the Yemeni army against Al Qaeda, the agency reported.

"During the operation, terrorist plots were foiled and a cache of weapons and equipment were seized," SPA added.

Earlier this week, Major General Ahmed Asiri, the adviser to the Saudi minister of defence, told media the alliance is not specific in its objectives to confronting international terror groups like the militant Islamic State group and Al Qaeda.

He said that the coalition could take action against rebel groups and militias that pose a threat to member countries.

Asiri added that a "grand meeting" of all countries involved is due to be held in May, during which the alliance will be formally formed.

He said that terms of references discussed in the meeting will be taken up at the parliamentary level.

The armed coalition was initially proposed as a platform for security cooperation among Muslim countries, and included provisions for training, equipment and troops, and the involvement of religious scholars for devising a counter-terrorism narrative.

Opinion

Editorial

Agri-tax failure
Updated 04 Jul, 2026

Agri-tax failure

THE first year of Pakistan’s unified agriculture income tax regime has produced an outcome that should surprise no...
Deadly roads
04 Jul, 2026

Deadly roads

THE horrific bus crash at the Balochistan-KP border on Friday should prompt greater scrutiny of road safety ...
Terrorism numbers
04 Jul, 2026

Terrorism numbers

AS Pakistan continues to grapple with the menace of militancy, the number of terrorist attacks present a mixed...
Unfinished business
Updated 03 Jul, 2026

Unfinished business

THE landmark 18th Amendment and seventh NFC Award radically reshaped Pakistan’s fiscal federalism by transferring...
Abuse cycle
03 Jul, 2026

Abuse cycle

LULLED into a sense of false security by its own denial and apathy, Pakistan is a long way from achieving tangible...
Closing the gap
03 Jul, 2026

Closing the gap

THE numbers are encouraging, yet one cannot help but rue the opportunities still being lost. The GSMA’s Mobile...