14 civilians mistakenly killed in Yemen airstrike

SANAA, Yemen – Military officials and tribesmen say an attack by Yemeni fighter planes has mistakenly hit vehicles carrying civilians traveling south of the capital, killing 14, including women and children.

The military officials said Sunday's airstrikes in Radda in the province of Bayda were based on faulty intelligence that the passengers were Al Qaeda members. Missiles fired from the warplanes hit two vehicles carrying local residents returning to their villages.

Tribesman Sheik Ahmed Ali said the dead included three women and three children.

The Yemeni government, with U.S. support, is waging a campaign against Al Qaeda militants, who are increasingly active in the country.

U.S. drones have regularly targeted Al Qaeda suspects. On Sunday, a U.S. drone strike killed a top Al Qaeda militant wanted for allegedly masterminding a 2002 attack on a French oil tanker.