Yemeni security officials say four suspected militants were killed in a drone strike in the country's east.

Officials say the strike targeted a car travelling Sunday on the outskirts of the city of Marib. Reports say a local al-Qaida leader was among those killed in the attack.

U.S. drones deployed in the region have backed Yemeni forces in their fight against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. On Thursday a drone strike in the country's south killed seven al-Qaida linked militants.

Al-Qaida took control of parts of southern Yemen last year during an uprising that ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Suspected militants have carried out suicide bombings and other attacks targeting officials.