By Zakaria al-Kamali

SANAA, Yemen

Three suspected al-Qaeda militants were killed in a drone strike in Yemen’s southeastern Shabwah province late Tuesday, according to a local official.

The unmanned drone struck two vehicles in al-Hawtah district in eastern Shabwah, the source told Anadolu Agency.

“Two other suspected militants were injured in the attack,” the source added anonymously due to restrictions on speaking to media.

According to the official, the drone attack took place shortly after al-Qaeda militants attacked a checkpoint manned by tribal fighters in the area, killing one person and injuring three others.

Although the official did not identify the drone, recent weeks have witnessed U.S. drone strikes against militants from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which Washington views as a persistent threat to the region and its own interests.

According to the U.S. Central Command, 17 al-Qaeda militants were killed in drone attacks in Yemen in September.