A security official and tribal elders say a senior al-Qaeda leader in Yemen has been killed in a family dispute and that an ensuing battle left 16 other militants dead, AP reported.

The official and the elders say Tariq al-Dahab was killed at his home in the southern village of al-Masameh by his half brother, Hizam, and other family members early on Thursday, February 16.

Hizam and his supporters then fled the scene, taking refuge in another house. Al-Dahab's followers pursued them and a battle ensued, leaving 16 dead, including Hizam.

The tribal elders and the security official spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals.

Al-Dahab's sister was married to Anwar al-Awlaki, the U.S.-born radical militant cleric who was killed by a U.S. drone strike last fall.