The U.S. military conducted two counterterrorism strikes this month against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula near Shabwah Governorate in central Yemen, according to a U.S. Central Command news release issued today.
A strike on July 1 killed two al-Qaida operatives, and a strike on July 4 killed two al-Qaida operatives, the release said.
Strikes against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen put consistent pressure on the terrorist network and prevents members from plotting and executing attacks against U.S. persons, the American homeland and U.S. allies, the release said.
A Significant Regional Threat
AQAP remains a significant threat to the region, the U.S., and beyond, the release said.
Al-Qaida’s presence has a destabilizing effect on Yemen; 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 release said.
The U.S. will not relent in its mission to degrade, disrupt and destroy al-Qaida and its remnants, the release said.
The U.S. remains committed to defeating AQAP and denying it safe haven regardless of its location, the release added.
Strikes conducted by the U.S. in Yemen continue to diminish AQAP’s presence in the region, the release said.