Yemen Air Strikes Kill 15 Suspected Militants

January 31, 2012

In Yemen, at least 15 people have been reported killed in air strikes targeting suspected Al-Qaeda militants in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula country.

Local Yemeni sources are quoted as saying that regional Al-Qaeda leader Abdul Monem al-Fahtani was among those killed in the strikes in Abyan Province.

A local Yemeni military official was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying the strikes were "carried out by U.S. planes."

Residents said no civilians were hurt in the air strike.

No further confirmation was available.

The United States has not commented on any fresh Yemen strikes, but "The New York Times" reported in June 2011 that the United States has increased attacks against suspected militants in Yemen using armed drones and fighter aircraft.

In September, a U.S. drone killed U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, described by U.S. officials as "chief of external operations" for Al-Qaeda in Yemen.

Compiled from agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/yemen_al_qaeda_awire_int/24468485.html

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