The United States is stepping up its attacks against al Qaeda in Yemen, helping government forces in clashes Monday that killed several suspected militants.

With the help of American drones, Yemen pummeled possible al Qaeda targets, killing at least 16 people.

Although six soldiers died in the fighting, the clashes came one day after government bombings of al Qaeda posts across the south killed at least 30 militants.

The attacks are part of a broader campaign against al Qaeda terrorists who seized towns and territory across southern Yemen over the past year.

Al Qaeda's master bombmaker, Ibrahim Al-Asiri, is likely in Yemen. He's believed to be plotting new bombs that would be placed in hard drives, cameras and even people to attack America.

The White House's top counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan, met Sunday with Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to discuss army's progress against al Qaeda in the south.