Most of those killed were members of the Al-Tays and Al-Ameri clans headed to the wedding, a security official said.

He said one of the rockets scored a direct hit on a vehicle carrying at least 10 passengers. The other struck near the convoy.

Several others have also been injured due to the incident.

US drone strikes have claimed numerous civilian lives and critics have demanded an end to the secrecy surrounding their use.

The number of victims from the strikes in Yemen remains unclear and estimates vary widely.

According to November figures from the Washington-based New America Foundation, a think-tank that has tried to closely track and vet the numbers, 93 strikes since 2002 have killed 684 to 891 people.

On October 22, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said US assassination drone strikes in Yemen have led to the death of civilians over the past years in a blatant violation of international law.

Washington often uses its assassination drones to hit targets in Yemen as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia. The facts on the ground indicate that civilians are frequently killed in such assaults although the US claims the CIA drones target “militants.”

NJF/NJF