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12 in Yemen Die in Strikes by U.S. Drones 12 in Yemen Die in Strikes by U.S. Drones
(about 1 hour later)
SANA, Yemen — Three American drone strikes in Yemen on Thursday killed a total of 12 people suspected of being members of Al Qaeda, a Yemeni military official said, raising to eight the number of attacks in less than two weeks.SANA, Yemen — Three American drone strikes in Yemen on Thursday killed a total of 12 people suspected of being members of Al Qaeda, a Yemeni military official said, raising to eight the number of attacks in less than two weeks.
The uptick in drone strikes signals that the Obama administration is stepping up its efforts against Yemen’s Qaeda offshoot — Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula — amid fears of attacks after the interception of a message between its leader and the global leader of the terrorist network.The uptick in drone strikes signals that the Obama administration is stepping up its efforts against Yemen’s Qaeda offshoot — Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula — amid fears of attacks after the interception of a message between its leader and the global leader of the terrorist network.
Since July 27, drone attacks have killed 34 suspected militants, according to a count provided by Yemeni security officials.Since July 27, drone attacks have killed 34 suspected militants, according to a count provided by Yemeni security officials.
The Yemeni military official said the first drone attack on Thursday killed six people in central Marib Province, while next two killed three each in Hadramawt Province in the south. The Yemeni military official said the first drone attack on Thursday killed six people in central Marib Province, while the next two killed three each in Hadramawt Province in the south.
All three airstrikes hit cars, added the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the news media.All three airstrikes hit cars, added the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the news media.
While the United States acknowledges that it operates a drone program in Yemen, it does not confirm individual strikes. The program is run by the Pentagon’s Joint Special Operations Command and the C.I.A. with the military flying its drones out of Djibouti, and the C.I.A. out of a base in Saudi Arabia.While the United States acknowledges that it operates a drone program in Yemen, it does not confirm individual strikes. The program is run by the Pentagon’s Joint Special Operations Command and the C.I.A. with the military flying its drones out of Djibouti, and the C.I.A. out of a base in Saudi Arabia.
The United States and Britain evacuated diplomatic staff members this week after learning of a threatened attack. Washington temporarily closed 19 diplomatic posts in the Middle East and Africa.The United States and Britain evacuated diplomatic staff members this week after learning of a threatened attack. Washington temporarily closed 19 diplomatic posts in the Middle East and Africa.
Yemeni troops have stepped up security across Sana, the capital, with checkpoints set up and tanks and other military vehicles guarding vital institutions. The army has surrounded foreign installations, government offices and the airport with tanks and troops in Sana, as well as the strategic Bab al-Mandeb straits at the entrance to the Red Sea in the southern Arabian Peninsula.Yemeni troops have stepped up security across Sana, the capital, with checkpoints set up and tanks and other military vehicles guarding vital institutions. The army has surrounded foreign installations, government offices and the airport with tanks and troops in Sana, as well as the strategic Bab al-Mandeb straits at the entrance to the Red Sea in the southern Arabian Peninsula.
Al Qaeda’s Yemeni offshoot has been bolstering its operations in Yemen more than a decade after important Saudi operatives fled here after a major crackdown in their homeland.Al Qaeda’s Yemeni offshoot has been bolstering its operations in Yemen more than a decade after important Saudi operatives fled here after a major crackdown in their homeland.
The Qaeda group overran entire towns and villages in Yemen in 2011, taking advantage of a security lapse during nationwide protests that eventually ousted the country’s longtime leader, Ali Abdullah Saleh.The Qaeda group overran entire towns and villages in Yemen in 2011, taking advantage of a security lapse during nationwide protests that eventually ousted the country’s longtime leader, Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Backed by the United States military, the Yemeni Army was able to regain control of the southern region, but Qaeda militants continue to carry out deadly attacks on security forces.Backed by the United States military, the Yemeni Army was able to regain control of the southern region, but Qaeda militants continue to carry out deadly attacks on security forces.
The drone strikes have been concentrated in remote mountainous areas and valleys where Al Qaeda’s top five leaders are believed to have sought refuge.The drone strikes have been concentrated in remote mountainous areas and valleys where Al Qaeda’s top five leaders are believed to have sought refuge.