SANAA, Yemen, May 3 (UPI) -- Pre-emptive military strikes in Yemen have killed more than 35 al-Qaida operatives and resulted in the arrest of dozens more in recent months, authorities said.
The strikes were aimed at paralyzing al-Qaida forces before they could attack key areas, Yemeni Interior Ministry officials said.
The strikes in the provinces of Sanaa, Hodeida, Shabwa and Abyan killed some of the region's most dangerous terrorist leaders, SABA reported Monday.
Late last year, dozens of suspected terrorists were killed or detained, the interior ministry said.
Yemeni security forces also have cracked down on hashish smuggling.
A 27-year-old man was arrested recently on charges of trying to smuggle more than 2 pounds of hashish to Saudi Arabia and two other men were arrested on charges of trafficking about 79 pounds into Saudi Arabia, SABA reported.
