SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Yemeni security officials say a suspected U.S. drone has struck a car traveling in the southern Bayda province, killing five suspected al-Qaida fighters.

They said the car targeted in the Wednesday attack appeared to be headed to the province of Marib.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

U.S. drone strikes have killed dozens of al-Qaida militants in Yemen as part of Washington's global war on terror.

Al-Qaida and the extremist Islamic State group have taken advantage of the chaos and lawlessness brought about by Yemen's ongoing civil war to expand their reach in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula nation.

The war pits the internationally-recognized government and a Saudi-led coalition against Shiite rebels and forces loyal to a former president.