Yemeni security officials say suspected U.S. drone strikes have killed at least seven al-Qaida-linked militants in southern Yemen.

They say three missile strikes hit a farm early Thursday near the town of Jaar.

The area was an al-Qaida stronghold until Yemen's army launched an offensive earlier this year to take back areas of the south seized by 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.