Security officials in Yemen say an air strike on two cars killed at least six suspected al Qaeda fighters in the northern part of the country on Friday.
An official says four of those killed were wanted by Yemeni and United States security, including Qassem al-Reni, who was considered al Qaeda's military leader and the senior planner of most operations in Yemen. He had escaped two previous airstrikes.
Yemen declared open war on al Qaeda on Thursday and warned its citizens against aiding the organisation.
More troops were sent this week to join a drive against al Qaeda in three provinces.
Yemen is under pressure to act against al Qaeda since attacks on its two main allies, Saudi Arabia and the United States, from Yemeni territory.