The Pentagon on February 1 said that civilians, including children, likely were killed during a dawn raid on an Al-Qaeda militant group in southern Yemen earlier this week. “A team designated by the operational task force commander has concluded regrettably that civilian noncombatants were likely killed in the midst of a firefight during a raid in Yemen January 29. Casualties may include children,” the U.S. Central Command said.

Seven suspected Al-Qaeda members have been killed in drone strikes in central Yemen that were probably carried out by US forces, security sources said on Sunday. A security official, asking not to be identified, said three “armed fighters of Al-Qaeda” died when their vehicle was struck on Saturday in the Sawmaa region of Al-Bayda province.