U.S. Defense Chief Warns of Al Qaeda’s Gains in Yemen

nytimes.com - TOKYO — Al Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen is seizing territory, exploiting the recent turmoil in the country to capture areas in what has become a broad expansion by the Sunni extremist group, Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter of the United States said on Wednesday.

Calling the situation “obviously very unsettled,” Mr. Carter said that the war in Yemen had left a number of groups vying for power, including Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, also known as A.Q.A.P., an enemy of the United States.

“A.Q.A.P.,” Mr.