June 17, 2016
Release Number 20160617-16
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA,
Fla. — The U.S. military conducted three counterterrorism strikes
against al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula June 8-12 in central Yemen,
killing six al-Qa'ida operatives and injuring one.
A strike
June 8 in al Badya Governorate resulted in the deaths of two al-Qa'ida
operatives along with the destruction of their vehicle loaded with
weapons. Another strike conducted June 10 in Marib Governorate killed
two al-Qaida operatives. Finally, a strike June 12 in Shabwah
Governorate killed two more al-Qa'ida operatives, injured another, and
destroyed the vehicle they were travelling in.
AQAP remains a
significant threat to the region, the United States and beyond.
Al-Qa'ida's presence has a destabilizing effect on Yemen, and it is
using the unrest in Yemen to provide a haven from which to plan future
attacks against our allies as well as the U.S. and its interests.
The
U.S. will not relent in its mission to degrade, disrupt and destroy
al-Qa'ida and its remnants. We remain committed to defeating AQAP and
denying it safe haven regardless of its location. Strikes conducted by
the U.S. in Yemen continue to diminish AQAP's presence in the region.