Yemen's parliament has officially passed a law that bans drone strikes, according to Agence France-Presse.
"Lawmakers have voted to ban drone strikes in Yemen," Yemen's state news agency SABA reported after a parliamentary meeting Sunday.
While in session, the parliament stressed "the importance of protecting all citizens from any aggression" and "the importance of preserving the sovereignty of Yemeni air space."
The parliament's decision follows a drone attack in Bayda that killed 17 people, most of whom were civilians. The dead were participating in a wedding motorcade when the drone attack occurred.
The Supreme Security Committee issued a statement claiming that the drone was targeting one of the cars belonging to Al Qaeda personnel that was part of the motorcade. However, security forces have said that the two missiles launched from the drone have killed mostly civilians.
The deaths have subsequently led to protests, with relatives of the dead demanding compensation and official apologies.
The US military is largely responsible--and notorious--for launching the drone attacks in Yemen as part of the country's campaign against Al-Qaeda. The US has allegedly "intensified" its campaign this year with more frequent drones launches as well.
"If the government fails to stop American planes from... bombing the people of Yemen, then it has no rule over us," tribal chief Ahmad al-Salmani told AFP on Saturday.
In an already divided state, the parliament's drone ban may-or may not exacerbate an already political shaky situation in Sana'a.
