A series of ground and air raids has been carried out by US paratroopers in the Yemeni village of Yakla, located in Qifah district of Bayda province, a number of media reported. Reportedly, about 30 aircraft, such as the Apache helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, took part in the attack. As a result, 57 people, including civilians, were killed.

According to Saudi media, there were 16 civilians, including women and children, among killed during the assault. The rest part of killed was represented by al-Qaeda terrorists, including its three ringleaders.

“The operation began at dawn when a drone bombed the home of [al-Qaeda ringleader] Abdulraoof al-Dhahab and then helicopters flew up and unloaded paratroopers at his house and killed everyone inside,” the AFP news agency quoted the words of an unnamed local resident.

As the Lebanese al-Mayadeen TV-channel reported, one US soldier lost his life during clashes with terrorists.

Later on Sunday, US military announced that one US soldier was killed and three others were wounded during the raids.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our elite service members,” AFP quoted the words of the Chief of the US Central Command in Tampa (Florida), General Joseph Votel.

The General added that the name of the deceased soldier would be announced after his relatives have been notified.

Two years ago, a similar operation was conducted by the US forces in the Yemeni province of Hadhramaut. The operation was allegedly aimed on rescue of an American reporter, who was held captive by al-Qaeda terrorists. However, the operation was unsuccessful and the journalist was killed.

Also in Sunday, positions of Saudi mercenaries, stationed in Bayda province, were mistakenly bombarded by the kingdom’s air force. As the al-Masirah TV-channel reported, citing an unnamed informed military source, Saudi fighter jets also carried out airstrikes on residential houses in Sharyah and al-Quraishyah neighborhoods in Bayda province.

Harad and Nasim districts of Hajjah province, as well as Sirwah neighborhood of Ma’rib province also became objects of similar Saudi aerial attacks. At the same time, Saudi aircraft hit al-Amri district of Ta’izz Province, using cluster bombs.

Meanwhile, the Houthi-Saleh alliance launched several rocket attacks on positions of Saudi mercenaries in Shabwah province. As a result, a large number of Saudi fighters were killed and wounded.

In addition, about 50 Saudi mercenaries, including foreign nationals, lost their lives or were wounded during fierce clashes with the Houthi-Saleh forces in Dhubab district and Mokha city, located in Ta’izz province. Downtown of Zanzibar city, located in Abyan province, also became the object of three Saudi rocket attacks.