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Yemen southern army commander Qatan 'dies in suicide attack' | Yemen southern army commander Qatan 'dies in suicide attack' |
(40 minutes later) | |
The Yemeni army commander leading the fight against militants in the south of the country has been killed in a suicide attack, officials say. | The Yemeni army commander leading the fight against militants in the south of the country has been killed in a suicide attack, officials say. |
General Salem Ali Qatan was killed in the port city of Aden by a man wearing an explosives belt, reports said. | General Salem Ali Qatan was killed in the port city of Aden by a man wearing an explosives belt, reports said. |
Yemen is battling militants linked to al-Qaeda who have taken control of parts of the south of the country. | Yemen is battling militants linked to al-Qaeda who have taken control of parts of the south of the country. |
The army has recently recaptured several strongholds in the restive southern province of Abyan. | The army has recently recaptured several strongholds in the restive southern province of Abyan. |
Details of the attack are unclear. | Details of the attack are unclear. |
One report citing witnesses said the attacker approached Gen Qatan - Yemen's southern army commander - as he walked to his office, handed him a paper, shook his hand and then detonated the explosives. | One report citing witnesses said the attacker approached Gen Qatan - Yemen's southern army commander - as he walked to his office, handed him a paper, shook his hand and then detonated the explosives. |
However, another report quoting officials said the bomber threw himself at the general's vehicle which was in a three-car convoy. | However, another report quoting officials said the bomber threw himself at the general's vehicle which was in a three-car convoy. |
At least four other people were reported to be wounded in the attack. | At least four other people were reported to be wounded in the attack. |
Gen Qatan was appointed in March shortly after newly elected President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi took office. | Gen Qatan was appointed in March shortly after newly elected President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi took office. |
'Huge loss' | 'Huge loss' |
Ali Mansur, a senior army commander and close aide to Gen Qatan, described the general's death as "a huge loss for Yemen". | Ali Mansur, a senior army commander and close aide to Gen Qatan, described the general's death as "a huge loss for Yemen". |
Speaking to AFP by phone, he gave Gen Qatan full credit for recent successes against insurgents. | Speaking to AFP by phone, he gave Gen Qatan full credit for recent successes against insurgents. |
"In just three months, Qatan achieved major progress towards chasing down and eliminating [the militants]", he said. | "In just three months, Qatan achieved major progress towards chasing down and eliminating [the militants]", he said. |
Correspondents say militants are showing they still have the ability to strike despite losing ground to the army. | Correspondents say militants are showing they still have the ability to strike despite losing ground to the army. |
An al-Qaeda-linked insurgency and separatist unrest have blighted the south of Yemen for years. | An al-Qaeda-linked insurgency and separatist unrest have blighted the south of Yemen for years. |
Last year, empowered by uprisings against former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Islamists consolidated their control over Abyan. | Last year, empowered by uprisings against former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Islamists consolidated their control over Abyan. |
In a recent offensive, the Yemeni army recaptured the towns of Shuqra, Zinjibar and Jaar. | In a recent offensive, the Yemeni army recaptured the towns of Shuqra, Zinjibar and Jaar. |
Meanwhile, fighters from the Islamist Ansar al-Sharia - linked to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) - are reported to have completely withdrawn from Azzan, in Shabwa province bordering Abyan. | |
Azzan has recently been under fire from government forces. | |
Privately-owned Yemeni newspaper Akhbar al-Yawm said the fighters left following mediation with local tribal leaders. | |
They are believed to have retreated to safe havens in the mountains where they enjoy tribal protection. |