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Deadly attacks hit Yemen defence ministry in Sanaa | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A series of attacks at Yemen's defence ministry have left at least 20 people dead and 37 injured, officials say. | |
A suicide car bomb blew up at the gates of the complex in Sanaa's Bab al-Yaman district, at the entrance to the old city, and a gunbattle followed with suspected militants inside. | |
Officials said the situation was under control and most of the gunmen dead. | |
Yemeni security forces are fighting regional rebels and al-Qaeda, while combating lawlessness and army splits. | 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). | 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 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. | "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. | 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. | 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 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. |