Saudi Special Forces have arrested the leader of the ISIS branch in Yemen.

Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi-led Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen announced on Tuesday that Saudi Special Forces have arrested the leader of the ISIS branch in Yemen.

Coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki said that he was captured on June 3 during an operation that was carried out by the Saudi Special Forces in cooperation of Yemeni Special Forces.

He was identified as Abu Osama Al-Muhajir. Other members of the terrorist group, including its financial officer in Yemen, were also arrested.

The coalition had taken all precautionary measures to protect civilians as it carried out its operation, which targeted a house where the terrorists were residing. Three women and three children were also in the house.

The women and children were unharmed during the operation and nor was there any collateral damage to civilians, said Maliki.

The special forces also confiscated several weapons, ammunition, laptops, computers, cash in various currencies, electronic devices, GPS and communication devices, and other possessions during the raid, he revealed.

‏The entire operation lasted ten minutes, including the raid itself, arrest of terrorists and the confiscation of possessions, he said.

‏This operation was a result of the close cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government in combatting and dismantling terrorist groups, he stressed.

‏The operation is a significant blow to ISIS, especially in Yemen. It is demonstration of the Kingdom’s efforts to combat terrorism in all of its shapes and forms.

‏The Kingdom is determined to continue its pivotal role in the fight against the terrorism as part of the Global Coalition to Defat ISIS and in close cooperation with allies.

‏Maliki said that additional details about the operation cannot be disclosed at this time, and will be made available in the future due to ongoing investigations.