A U.S. drone was believed to have killed four members of al Qaeda in Yemen on Tuesday, the fourth such strike in less than two weeks.
Officials speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press said a drone fired a missile at a car in the district of Marib. All four men inside were killed in the fire that ensued – and one of them was believed to be a senior member of al Qaeda, Saleh Jouti, AP reported.
In the last couple weeks, three other similar strikes have targeted cars believed to be transporting members of al Qaeda, AP said.
The drone strike comes as the State Department said it intercepted a secret message between al Qaeda personnel warning of a looming terror attack. Following that, the State Department evacuated the U.S. Embassy in Yemen and warned Americans who were traveling in the nation to be on high alert.
The State Department has also temporary closed 19 U.S. diplomatic posts in Africa and the Middle East.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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