Abyan Governor Ahmed Al-Maisari said on Monday that 14 Al-Qaeda members handed themselves in to the authorities after they had been convinced by the local government and sheikhs.
5 Al-Qaeda leaders were among the 14 including Jamal Nuairan, said the governor, adding: "We also arrested 3 other terrorists."
Social dignitaries, sheikhs and mosque rectors have been exerting major efforts in the districts of Lawder and Modya to convince Al-Qaeda members and some of them positively responded to their calls handing themselves, he said.
They would be sent to the political security prison in Aden and their investigations would be completed, he said, pointing out that anyone of them would be found guilty of committing illegal acts would be turned over to justice.
But those with good-will will be released and rehabilitated, he added, as he said the authorities are continuing a hunt for other terrorist elements.