A source told Aljazeera that at least six homes were destroyed and a number of civilians were trapped under the rubble in Yakla District, in the southern province of al-Bayda. Eight women and eight children were among those killed, a provincial official, who did not want to be named, and tribal sources told AFP.
The killed Al-Qaeda figures were identified as brothers Abdulraouf and Sultan al-Zahab, and Saif Alawi al-Jawfi.
Three US helicopters were reportedly involved in the attacks, firing missiles and helicopter machine guns.
There was no comment from Washington on the raids.
The operation was the first in Yemen attributed to the US since President Donald Trump took office on January 20.
