A U.S. drone mistakenly targeted a wedding convoy in Yemen 's al-Baitha province after intelligence reports identified the vehicles as carrying al Qaeda militants , two Yemeni national security officials told CNN on Thursday . The officials said that 14 people were killed and 22 others injured , nine in critical condition . The vehicles were traveling near the town of Radda when they were attacked . `` This was a tragic mistake and comes at a very critical time . None of the killed was a wanted suspect by the Yemeni government , '' said a top Yemeni national security official who asked not to be named because he is not authorized to talk to media . U.S. officials declined to comment on the report . The convoy consisted of 11 vehicles , and the officials said that four of the vehicles were targeted in the strikes . Two of the vehicles were completely damaged . Among the killed were two prominent tribal leaders within the province . Residents in Radda were outraged about the attack and called on the Yemeni government to put an end of drone strikes in their region . `` More than 50 innocent civilians in our town have been killed by drones , '' said Abdullah al-Kabra , an eyewitness to the drone strike . `` All those who were killed were supportive of the governments anti-terror campaign . That will surely not be the case of their tribes and families if the government does not strongly intervene , '' he added . Yemeni security experts have argued that drones have on numerous occasions have directly played into al Qaeda 's favor , turning peaceful tribal communities into vengeful killers . `` The attack proved the need for tighter control and regulations as far as drones are concerned . At times , they have proved deadly and destructive to civilians , '' said Abdul Salam Mohammed , the president of the Sanaa-based Abaad Studies & Research Center . The drone operation in Yemen is part of a joint U.S.-Yemeni campaign against al Qaeda . Yemeni President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi has vowed to continue attacks against terror elements until they surrender their arms . Militants attack hospital at Defense Ministry , killing 52 .
Two national security officials from Yemen confirm to CNN the deadly drone strike . Intelligence reports indicated convoy vehicles carried al Qaeda militants , they say . Yemeni security official : `` This was a tragic mistake and comes at a very critical time '' Outraged residents in the region call on Yemeni leaders to put an end of drone strikes .