SANAA, Yemen — Yemeni security officials say a suspected U.S. drone has bombed a home in the central province of Marib, killing nine alleged al-Qaida fighters.

They said the Monday morning attack took place in Marib’s Wadi Obeida area.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

U.S. drone strikes have killed dozens of al-Qaida militants in Yemen over the years as part of Washington’s global war against terror.

Al-Qaida and the extremist Islamic State group have taken advantage of the chaos and lawlessness brought about by Yemen’s ongoing civil war to expand their reach in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula nation.

The war pits the internationally recognized government and a Saudi-led coalition against Shiite rebels and army units loyal to a former president.

WP