U.S. forces conducted an assault early Tuesday on what the military described as a compound associated with al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, in Yemen’s Marib Governorate, killing seven militants.

“During this operation, U.S. forces killed seven AQAP militants through a combination of small arms fire and precision airstrikes,” a statement from U.S. Central Command said. “Raids such as this provide insight into AQAP’s disposition, capabilities and intentions, which will allow us to continue to pursue, disrupt, and degrade AQAP.”