U.S. Asks for Marines to Aid in Al Qaeda Hunt

The United States has asked Yemen to allow Marines to take part in a hunt for members of Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda terrorist network, a Western diplomat and Yemeni officials said.

Yemeni forces launched attacks against armed tribesmen in remote hills of central and eastern Yemen on Dec. 18 in an attempt to capture suspected operatives of Bin Laden.

Since the operation began, 24 soldiers and six tribesmen have been killed. Security officials have said five suspects remain at large.

The sweep in Yemen appeared to be the most serious military operation yet by an Arab country against Al Qaeda.