TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 26, 2016 — An Oct. 21 U.S. strike in Yemen killed five members of the al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorist organization, U.S. Central Command officials announced today.

The strike took place in a remote area of Yemen’s Marib governorate, officials said.

"Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula remains a significant threat to the region and to the United States," said Army Maj. Josh T. Jacques, a Centcom spokesman. "Al-Qaida's presence has a destabilizing effect on Yemen, and we are working to deny them a haven from which to plan future attacks."

The State Department officially designated al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula as a foreign terrorist organization in January 2010. The Yemen-based group has claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist acts since its inception in 2009.