The US military has said an American airstrike in Yemen has killed a top commander of the al-Qaida affiliate and two of his associates. <br/><br/>US Central Command said, the strike in Shabwa province killed Abu Khattab al Awlaqi, the emir of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. It said, Awlaqi was planning attacks on civilians and creating instability in southern Yemen. <br/><br/>He was closely linked to AQAP leaders. The US military has conducted at least 80 airstrikes this year targeting AQAP, which the US considers one of the most dangerous terrorist threats to America and the West.