Yemen: Airstrikes kill 4 al-Qaida militants

Mar. 30, 2012

Associated Press

SANAA, Yemen -- Yemeni military officials say an airstrike has killed four al-Qaida militants in a southern district that has been under the group's control for around a year.

The military officials from Shabwa province say that an unmanned U.S. drone carried out Friday's attack, which struck a vehicle carrying seven militants in the district of Azan. The officials say four were killed and three critically wounded.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations.

There was no immediate comment from U.S. officials, but Washington has carried out airstrikes in Yemen in the past.

Al-Qaida's branch in Yemen is believed to be one of the world's most active. It has taken advantage of a year of turmoil to take over parts of southern Yemen.