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 6 | Version 7 |
---|---|
Deadly attacks hit Yemen defence ministry in Sanaa | 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 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 at a hospital inside. | |
At least two foreign medical staff are among the dead, medical sources say. | |
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. |
Defence Minister Mohammed Nasser is currently on a visit to Washington. | Defence Minister Mohammed Nasser is currently on a visit to Washington. |
No group has said it carried out Thursday's attack. | No group has said it carried out Thursday's attack. |
Correspondents say it bears the hallmarks of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). | Correspondents say it bears the hallmarks of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). |
However, one government minister has blamed people linked to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. | However, one government minister has blamed people linked to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. |
Officials said the situation was under control and most of the gunmen had been killed. | |
"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. |
Continuous shooting | Continuous shooting |
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. |
The gunmen occupied a hospital at the complex, they added, but security forces later regained control of the building, which was badly damaged. | The gunmen occupied a hospital at the complex, they added, but security forces later regained control of the building, which was badly damaged. |
"The assailants took advantage of some construction work that is taking place to carry out this criminal act," the defence ministry said. | "The assailants took advantage of some construction work that is taking place to carry out this criminal act," the defence ministry said. |
They were said to be armed with assault rifles, hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenades. | They were said to be armed with assault rifles, hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenades. |
"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. |
However, the BBC's Shaimaa Khalil in Sanaa says there was continuous shooting throughout the morning and some gunfire is continuing. | However, the BBC's Shaimaa Khalil in Sanaa says there was continuous shooting throughout the morning and some gunfire is continuing. |
She describes Bab al-Yaman as a busy, bustling area with many shops. | She describes Bab al-Yaman as a busy, bustling area with many shops. |
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. |
There were a large number of checkpoints and armoured vehicles on the streets even before the attacks, our correspondent says. | There were a large number of checkpoints and armoured vehicles on the streets even before the attacks, our correspondent says. |
The country has been going through a painful transition since Mr Saleh was forced from office in 2011. | The country has been going through a painful transition since Mr Saleh was forced from office in 2011. |
Presidential elections are due to be held in February 2014. | Presidential elections are due to be held in February 2014. |