Yemeni President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi announced in October that Yemen would step up its military operations with the United States against al Qaeda operatives.
Newly elected President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi intensified the fight against al Qaeda and vowed to continue the assault on militant hideouts until the group is defeated.
Qatan was appointed days after President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi took power in late February through a peaceful transfer deal that led to Yemen's longtime president leaving office.