Shabwa — The United States carried out three airstrikes this week targeting suspected al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) positions in Yemen’s southeastern Shabwa province, according to local security sources and tribal leaders.

The strikes reportedly hit militant hideouts in the rugged mountainous areas of Al-Saeed and Al-Musainah, regions known for harboring AQAP operatives. Initial reports indicate that several militants may have been killed or injured, though the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed due to restricted access to the targeted zones.

Residents in nearby villages described hearing loud explosions followed by the sound of aircraft overhead. The strikes are believed to have been conducted by U.S. drones, part of Washington’s ongoing counterterrorism campaign against AQAP, which the U.S. government considers one of the most dangerous branches of al-Qaeda.

Local authorities have not issued an official statement, but the operations come amid growing concerns over the resurgence of extremist activity in southern Yemen, where security vacuums persist due to the ongoing civil conflict.

The U.S. has previously conducted similar operations in coordination with Yemeni and regional partners, aiming to disrupt AQAP’s ability to plan and execute attacks both within Yemen and abroad.