Batarfi is among AQAP's top regional commanders, known for his leading role in a 2011-2012 battle with government troops during which extremists seized large parts of the south and east of Yemen.

Sweet Days of Al-Qaeda Commander Inside Yemen Governor's Palace

Pictures posted online today show the high-ranking terrorist grinning as he sits in the governor's palace in the city of Mukalla, pretending to be on the telephone as he wields an assault rifle.

After taking over the prison and freeing a number of members of AQAP, the terrorists overran government buildings and the city's port.

According to CBS, AQAP Twitter accounts tweeted after the prison raid: 'All the brothers have been liberated, including Sheikh Batarfi who is now amongst his brothers, all praise to Allah.'

Mukalla was previously under control of forces loyal to former President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.