Gunmen shot dead an American teacher in the Yemeni province of Taiz on Sunday, U.S. media reported with a reference to high-ranking defense ministry officials.
Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, the terror network's affiliate in Yemen, claimed responsibility for the death. In a text message sent to Yemeni media, the group said the victim was spreading Christianity among the people of Taez.
The killed man, identified as Joel Sharm, was an adviser at a Swedish-affiliated institute. He died immediately after he was struck by gunfire.
The U.S. Embassy in the capital Sanaa said it had heard reports of an American death and was investigating. It did not confirm an American had been killed, CNN reported.
