The US government has confirmed that at least 12 US citizens have been detained in Yemen, but refused to specify whether they are linked to al-Qaida. State Department spokesman said that the Obama administration is working with the Yemeni government to find out more about the individuals, adding that the two sides have great cooperation. He said, we are doing our best to help Yemen reduce the threat posed by al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Yemeni authorities reportedly have arrested some 30 foreigners in recent operations against the AQAP, which is on Washington's list of foreign terrorist groups.