Drone strikes against members of the Yemen-based Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula 'AQAP' take place under agreement between President Abdrabut Mansour Hadi and chief of staff Ahmed Al-Ashwal and the Americans, alahale reported Saturday, quoting western diplomatic sources.

"The US drone strikes, which has occurred since Hadi was installed as Yemen's new president in February, come under permission from the Yemeni leader and army," the website quoted the sources as saying.

"Between 3 to 4 strikes take place a day," the sources continued, according to the website.

Furthermore, the sources said a US military team had arrived in the Anad air base in Lahj province to direct drone strikes against the militants in southern and southeastern regions.

With direct support from the US, the Yemeni army has been fighting AQAP for the past few years.
Exploiting the unrest in 2011, AQAP seized some towns in south Yemen, raising fears of the West in one of the poorest countries in the world.
But more recently, the army in association with popular fighters has waged fierce battles against the militants in southern and southeastern regions including Abyan and Shabwa.
Hundreds of militants have been killed and injured and the forces have cleared militants from many areas including the capital of Abyan, Zinjibar.

Separately, Prime Minister, Muhammad Salem Basindwa, said the US drone strikes in the country happens without permission from his government, alahale reported.

"Yemen can strike the militants if the armed forces are restructured".

"The government has never asked the US to carry out drone attacks on the Yemeni soil because there should not be external meddling in Yemen's own affairs," he said according to the website.