They say the strike today on a vehicle in an area called Hareib, located between the provinces of Marib and Shabwa, killed three suspected al-Qaida militants.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to journalists.
The strike is the first this year. It also is the first since Shiite Houthi in control of the capital, Sanaa, put embattled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and his Cabinet under house arrest.