U.S. increases bombing of al-Qaida in Yemen, citing threat to West

WASHINGTON — The United States has stepped up its campaign against al- Qaida targets in Yemen, launching more than 30 airstrikes in the past two days, a Pentagon spokesman said Friday. More than 20 airstrikes were conducted Thursday morning, targeting al-Qaida militants, equipment and infrastructure in Bayda, Shabwa and Abyan provinces. Those attacks were followed by…