U.S., Yemen resume airstrikes

SANAA, Yemen, June 10 (UPI) -- U.S. and Yemeni forces resumed air attacks on Islamic militants, saying they fear al-Qaida is taking advantage of the country's political chaos.

Yemeni government forces focused on Zinjibar in southern Yemen and military officials said at least one top insurgent was killed in the U.S. military-led strikes by unmanned aircraft, CNN reported Friday.

Yemen and the United States expressed concern about what could happen if al-Qaida in the Arabia Peninsula, Yemen's al-Qaida offshoot, successfully exploits the strife. The attacks had been halted in the latest political unrest.

State-run television reported the attacks killed Abu Ali al-Harithi, an al-Qaida commander in Shabwa province. The New York Times reported Thursday U.S. drones killed al-Harithi in an airstrike last week.

A U.S. official said American authorities think al-Harithi was killed in an airstrike in southern Yemen but it is "very difficult" to confirm.

Widespread turmoil has engulfed Yemen for months, with thousands of demonstrators urging President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down. In recent weeks, anti-government tribal forces fought government troops. Last week, the presidential compound was attacked, injuring Saleh and other officials who were flown to Saudi Arabia for treatment.

A six-nation Gulf Arab alliance has tried to broker a government-opposition agreement that would lead to Saleh's departure.