They say the militants were travelling in a car in Mukalla, the capital of Hadramawt province, where al-Qaida has recently made advances and struck deals with local tribesmen, when the drone hit today. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.
Yemen's turmoil raised concerns that al-Qaida's local branch, considered the most dangerous affiliate of the terror network, is exploiting the security and political vacuum. U.S. drone strikes targeting militants have been scaled back amid the chaos.