Drone strikes killed nine suspected Al-Qaeda militants earlier today in southeast Yemen, where the US military launched a failed operation last month to rescue an American hostage, security and tribal sources said.
“Several drone strikes have targeted Al-Qaeda positions in Nusab (in Shabwa province), killing nine members of the network,” a security source told.
A tribal leader said soldiers of an unknown nationality were seen parachuting into the area and clashes ensued, suggesting it could be a new operation to try to free the US hostage.
It was not immediately possible to verify that information.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) on Thursday threatened the imminent execution of US journalist Luke Somers who was kidnapped more than a year ago in Sanaa.
