Updated

A Yemeni military official says an American drone strike has killed nine suspected Al Qaeda militants and inadvertently killed and wounded some civilians.

The official said the early Saturday raid targeted a car carrying the militants in the Sawmaa area in the al-Bayda province at the time another car was nearby carrying civilians.

At least six civilians were killed and wounded, the official said on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations.

The deputy governor of al-Bayda was assassinated Tuesday by suspected Al Qaeda militants.

Yemen's branch of Al Qaeda, also known as Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, is considered to be the most dangerous in the world. It overran much of the south in 2011. Yemen's army, supported by U.S. military experts and drone strikes, pushed them back, but clashes continue.