SANAA, Yemen Security officials say suspected U.S. drone strikes have killed seven alleged al Qaeda militants in southern Yemen, according to The Associated Press. The Reuters news agency puts the number at 6.
The suspected drone attack is the fifth in Yemen in less than two weeks.
The attacks came a day after the U.S. and Britain evacuated embassy staff due to a threatened attack in the country, and militants shot down a helicopter.
The officials say the militants were killed early Wednesday in Shabwa province. They spoke anonymously in line with regulations.
Residents of the area of Markha in Shabwa province say they saw two vehicles and several bodies on fire at the site of the strikes. They declined to be identified, fearing reprisals.
Washington considers al Qaeda's Yemeni offshoot one of the world's most active.
Reuters notes that "at least 20 suspected militants have been killed since July 28, when a drone strike killed at least four members of Ansar al-Sharia, a local militant group affiliated to Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)."
The suspected drone attack is the fifth in Yemen in less than two weeks.
The attacks came a day after the U.S. and Britain evacuated embassy staff due to a threatened attack in the country, and militants shot down a helicopter.
The officials say the militants were killed early Wednesday in Shabwa province. They spoke anonymously in line with regulations.
Residents of the area of Markha in Shabwa province say they saw two vehicles and several bodies on fire at the site of the strikes. They declined to be identified, fearing reprisals.
Washington considers al Qaeda's Yemeni offshoot one of the world's most active.
Reuters notes that "at least 20 suspected militants have been killed since July 28, when a drone strike killed at least four members of Ansar al-Sharia, a local militant group affiliated to Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)."