By Murad al-Arifi

SANA’A (AA): At least 40 people were reportedly killed in a U.S. raid that targeted suspected al-Qaeda leaders in southern Yemen on Sunday, according to local sources.

Helicopter-born commandos attacked the house of senior al-Qaeda leader Abdulraoof al-Dhahab in Qayfa district in al-Bayda province, a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to media, said.

The dawn raid, in which drones and helicopters were used, has triggered deadly clashes, which left at least 40 people dead, the source said.

Two other al-Qaeda leaders, including al-Dhahab’s brother, were killed in the raid, according to the same source.

There was no comment from Washington on the raid.

The U.S. regards al-Qaeda branch in Yemen as a persistent threat to the region and its own interests.

Washington has used drones to hunt down al-Qaeda leaders Yemen, which fell into civil war since 2014.

[Archive photo: Suicide bomibg claimed by Daesh in Aden. Photographer: AA.]