Militants kill 3 Yemeni air force pilots near base

Yemeni security officials say suspected militants havekilled three air force pilots as they were en route to an air base in thecountry's south.

The officials say two gunmen on a motorcycle intercepted thevehicle the pilots were traveling in on their way to the base early Wednesday inthe southern province of Lahj. The attackers shot the pilots dead, then fledthe scene.

The officials say the pilots were air force colonels basedin Al-Annad, Yemen's largest base that also hosts a group of US militaryadvisers helping authorities fight Al Qaeda's branch in Yemen.

The US considers the terror network's Yemeni affiliate tobe its most dangerous offshoot.

The Yemeni officials spoke on condition of anonymity becausethey are not authorized to speak to the media.