Yemeni military and medical officials say an airstrike has killed eight suspected al-Qaida militants, including a group leader, in the south of the country.
The Yemeni government is waging a military campaign to drive out Islamic fighters who overran several southern towns months ago. The militant takeover took place as the government was trying to suppress a nationwide protest movement seeking the ouster of the longtime president.
The officials say Thursday's airstrike targeted the Ansar al-Sharia group, which is suspected of links to al-Qaida in Yemen. One official identified one of the slain militants as a leader of the group named Abu Jaber al-Sanaai.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the press.
-AP