Yemen officials say suspected US drone strikes 2 cars in south, kills 5 al-Qaida militants

Sanaa, Yemen – Yemeni security officials say a strike by a suspected U.S. drone has hit two cars in which al-Qaida-linked militants were traveling in a southern province, killing at least five of them.

The officials said all five known to have been killed in the late Thursday morning strike in Shabwa province were in one of the two vehicles. They had no word on casualties in the second car, and no further details on the identities of those targeted.

Shabwa is one of several Yemeni provinces where al-Qaida has concentrated, taking advantage of tribal links and weak central government authority there.

The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The U.S. doesn't usually comment on such attacks, but has in the past used drones in Yemen.