The Saudi woman who fled to Yemen last year to join al-Qaeda has been killed in a US raid, sources to Al Arabiya confirmed.

Arwa Baghdadi was killed during the US military airstrikes on the Yemeni village Yacla, sources said, but did not reveal the fate of her two sons.

Baghdadi was killed a short distance away from where eight-year-old Nawar al-Awlaki was killed. Nawar was the daughter of a US-born Yemeni extremist preacher who was killed in a drone strike by the Obama administration.

Issam Taher, Baghdadi’s father declined to comment on her death. However, Nizar Taher, one of the brothers of Baghdadi, told Al Arabiya English he was flabbergasted by the news, saying: “I didn’t know. We didn’t hear anything. It’s sad. Despite our differences, she was so precious and she had a good heart.”

Nizar stressed that he had no communication with his sister since she moved to Yemen, noting that his parents also lost contact with her due to the internet and network blackouts.

On the issue of his sister’s extremist beliefs, he asserted: “My sister was among those who were affected by the speeches calling for the toppling of the regime of infidels. She got carried away, like many others, especially after the events of September 11, 2001.”

Baghdadi, 35 years old, had a bachelor’s degree in Islamic culture. Before leaving Saudi Arabia, Baghdadi was out on bail, awaiting trial on terrorism charges.

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:50 - GMT 06:50