Washington (IINA) � The US Airforce conducted about 20 additional airstrikes targeting Al-Qaeda in Yemen in recent days, the Pentagon said on Monday, as it continues its stepped-up campaign against the terrorist group, AFP reported.

The strikes were carried out over the weekend, Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said, without giving details on where or how they were conducted.

The new attacks bring the total number of strikes the United States has conducted in Yemen since February 28 to more than 70.

"We continue to target AQAP (Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) in Yemen and this is done in the interests of disrupting this terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States," Davis said.

The Pentagon has increased attacks against AQAP since President Donald Trump took office in January. A small contingent of US forces remains on the ground in Yemen, Davis said, adding that they have not been involved in combat.

Source: International Islamic News Agency