The US military said Friday it had deployed "a very small" number of forces to Yemen to offer intelligence support for the United Arab Emirate's efforts on the ground against al Qaeda's affiliate. US Navy Captain Jeff Davis said the US military has stepped up air strikes against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) fighters and an unspecified number of US personnel have been working from a "fixed location" with Yemeni and Arab coalition forces. The naval spokesman's briefing to reporters was the first public admission of US ground troops since the Pentagon withdrew about 100 special forces troops in Yemen last year after the country's government was driven into exile. US military officials say they are also dedicating airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets.... Yemen's conflict has killed more than 6,400 people and displaced 2.8 million since last March The US insists its primary goal is to fight against AQAP militants that have gained a foothold in the war-torn country
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