US President Barack Obama has declared the killing of a fiery American-born cleric a “major blow” to al-Qaida’s most active affiliate and vowed a vigorous US campaign to prevent the terror network and its partners from finding a haven anywhere in the world.

An American-born cleric killed in Yemen played a “significant operational role” in plotting and inspiring attacks on the US, officials said, as they disclosed detailed intelligence to justify the killing of a US citizen.

A massive demonstration against Yemen’s government turned into a killing field today as snipers fired down on protesters from rooftops and police made a wall of fire with tires and petrol, blocking a key escape route.

Rescuers were searching for eight missing soldiers today after a volcanic explosion rocked a tiny Yemeni island in the Red Sea.