A U.S. drone strike has killed multiple suspected members of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen, according to Yemeni security officials, marking one of the most significant counterterrorism operations in the country in recent months.
The strike reportedly took place late Thursday in the rugged mountains of Al-Bayda province, an area known for Al-Qaeda’s presence and activity. Security sources told The Jordan Times that the strike targeted a vehicle believed to be carrying senior AQAP operatives. At least five individuals were confirmed dead, though the identities of those killed have not yet been disclosed publicly.
“The strike was precise and targeted a high-level gathering,” a local security official said on condition of anonymity, adding that follow-up operations are ongoing to verify the identities and recover intelligence materials from the scene.
The U.S. military has not issued an official statement yet, but previous operations against AQAP in Yemen have typically been conducted by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military activities in the Middle East.
This latest operation underscores Washington’s continued focus on counterterrorism in Yemen despite the broader geopolitical and humanitarian crises gripping the country. AQAP, long considered one of the most dangerous branches of Al-Qaeda, has exploited Yemen’s civil war to expand its foothold in the region. The group has been responsible for numerous attacks both within Yemen and abroad.
Yemeni officials said the strike is a blow to the group’s operational capabilities and praised the cooperation with international partners in tracking extremist networks. “The joint coordination remains strong. We will not allow terrorist groups to regroup,” one government official stated.
The strike comes amid renewed efforts by the U.S. to prevent AQAP from reestablishing safe havens, especially as regional attention remains focused on the ongoing Houthi conflict and broader instability.
Meanwhile, human rights advocates have called for transparency and accountability in all drone operations, warning of the risk of civilian casualties. Local sources in Al-Bayda indicated that no non-combatants were reported harmed in this particular strike, though independent verification is ongoing.
The broader security environment in Yemen remains complex. While fighting between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels has decreased under a fragile ceasefire, militant groups like AQAP continue to thrive in ungoverned spaces, posing a persistent threat to both local and international security.
As the U.S. remains engaged in selective counterterrorism operations across the region, Thursday’s strike is a reminder that despite shifting global priorities, the fight against transnational jihadist networks in Yemen continues unabated.
Source: The Jordan Times
