This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25228729
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Suicide car bomb hits Yemen defence ministry in Sanaa | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A suicide car bomb has exploded at Yemen's defence ministry in the capital Sanaa killing at least 20 people and injuring 37, officials say. | |
Smoke was seen rising from the complex in Bab al-Yaman district, at the entrance to the old city. | Smoke was seen rising from the complex in Bab al-Yaman district, at the entrance to the old city. |
There were reports of a gunbattle inside the complex, but officials said the situation was under control. | |
Yemeni security forces are fighting regional rebels and al-Qaeda, while combating lawlessness and army splits. | |
No-one has taken responsibility for the attack, but correspondents say it bears the hallmarks of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). | |
"The attack took place shortly after working hours started at the ministry when a suicide bomber drove a car into the gate," a ministry source said, quoted by Reuters. | "The attack took place shortly after working hours started at the ministry when a suicide bomber drove a car into the gate," a ministry source said, quoted by Reuters. |
The blast was heard hundreds of metres away. | |
"The explosion was very violent, the whole place shook because of it and plumes of smoke rose from the building," an eyewitness told the agency. | "The explosion was very violent, the whole place shook because of it and plumes of smoke rose from the building," an eyewitness told the agency. |
Officials said a second car followed whose occupants opened fire at the complex, and a battle ensued involving gunmen in military uniforms. | Officials said a second car followed whose occupants opened fire at the complex, and a battle ensued involving gunmen in military uniforms. |
"Most" of the gunmen were killed, officials said, but it was not clear how many were involved. | |
The scene has been cordoned off and casualties were taken to a military hospital in the compound. | |
Unconfirmed reports suggest the hospital itself was targeted by the militants and was damaged. | |
The incident comes aid tight security in the last few weeks following a series of hit-and-run attacks on officials by militants on motorbikes, blamed on AQAP. | |
The country has been going through a painful transition since President Ali Abdullah Saleh was forced from office in 2011. | The country has been going through a painful transition since President Ali Abdullah Saleh was forced from office in 2011. |