Tribal and official sources in Yemen say an explosion has killed more than 10 suspected al-Qaida militants, and at least six others died in two airstrikes by unmanned aircraft.

A bomb that ripped through a house owned by a known al-Qaida operative in southern Bayda province appeared to be an accidental explosion. Militants barred local residents Sunday from approaching the scene.

Meanwhile, separate strikes by suspected U.S. drone aircraft killed three people Saturday and another three on Sunday in two parts of central Maarib province.

One raid successfully targeted a car carrying suspected members of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.

U.S.-backed Yemeni government forces have been fighting al-Qaida militants in the country for years.

Al-Qaida took control of parts of southern Yemen in 2011 during an uprising that ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Suspected militants have carried out suicide bombings and other attacks targeting Yemeni officials.