PRESS RELEASE | June 17, 2016
June 17: U.S. Central Command announces Yemen counterterrorism strikes
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.