Officials in central Yemen say a drone strike has killed at least three militants.

Authorities said Sunday missiles fired from the unmanned aircraft successfully targeted a car, killing the suspected members of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.

One witness said the car was engulfed in flames.

Authorities in Yemen reported dozens of apparent U.S. drone strikes in 2012.

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.