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Yemen air strikes kill al-Qaida militants Yemen air strikes kill al-Qaida militants
(about 1 hour later)
Five suspected al-Qaida fighters have been killed in two air strikes in Yemen's southern province of Abyan, according to the interior ministry. Five suspected al-Qaida fighters have been killed in two air strikes in Yemen's southern province of Abyan, according to the interior ministry.
A statement said the militants were killed on Thursday but did not say whether the strikes were launched by Yemen or the US. A statement said the militants were killed on Thursday but did not say whether the strikes were launched by Yemen or the US.
However, local officials in Abyan, a stronghold for al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (Aqap) and other militant groups during an uprising that ousted veteran president Ali Abdullah Saleh last year, told Reuters the strikes were carried out by American drones. But local officials in Abyan, a stronghold for al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (Aqap) and other militant groups during an uprising that ousted the veteran president Ali Abdullah Saleh last year, told Reuters the strikes were carried out by American drones.
Aqap is regarded by the US as one of the most active wings of the militant network, posing a serious threat to western interests including oil tanker traffic in the Gulf.Aqap is regarded by the US as one of the most active wings of the militant network, posing a serious threat to western interests including oil tanker traffic in the Gulf.
Last year, the Yemeni army, with American backing, drove al-Qaida militants and their allies from some of their southern strongholds. But the jihadists have since regrouped and mounted attacks on government officials and installations. Last year, the Yemeni army, with American backing, drove al-Qaida militants and their allies out from some of their southern strongholds. But the jihadists have since regrouped and mounted attacks on government officials and installations.
The US regularly unleashes drone strikes against Aqap in a campaign that has been criticised by rights groups as executing suspects without trial, while civilians have often been hit.The US regularly unleashes drone strikes against Aqap in a campaign that has been criticised by rights groups as executing suspects without trial, while civilians have often been hit.
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