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Assailants Launch Two-Pronged Attack on Yemen Defense Ministry Yemen’s Defense Ministry Is Attacked on Two Fronts
(about 1 hour later)
SANA, Yemen — Assailants launched a two-pronged attack on Yemen’s heavily guarded Defense Ministry in the center of the capital on Thursday, ramming a car packed with explosives into one part of the complex as attackers on foot opened fire with automatic rifles on another, witnesses said. SANA, Yemen — Assailants launched a two-pronged attack on Yemen’s heavily guarded Defense Ministry headquarters in the center of the capital, Sana, on Thursday, ramming a car packed with explosives into one part of the complex as attackers on foot opened fire with automatic rifles on another, witnesses said.
News reports quoting Defense Ministry officials said that 20 people had been killed, including militants and Yemeni soldiers, and that dozens had been wounded. But other accounts put the death toll higher. Several foreign medical workers were also reported to be among the dead after the attackers stormed into a hospital within the complex. News reports quoting Defense Ministry officials said 20 people had been killed, including militants and Yemeni soldiers, and dozens wounded. But other accounts put the death toll higher. Several foreign medical workers were also reported to be among the dead after the attackers stormed into a hospital within the complex.
The attack illustrated the frail state of security in Yemen, a troubled and impoverished country that is in the middle of a difficult political transition as the authorities struggle with militants, rebels and secessionists.The attack illustrated the frail state of security in Yemen, a troubled and impoverished country that is in the middle of a difficult political transition as the authorities struggle with militants, rebels and secessionists.
Yemen is known as the home of one of Al Qaeda’s most organized and threatening affiliates, whose operatives are the targets of an American drone campaign to kill militants suspected of involvement in kidnapping for ransom and a string of deadly attacks on military targets. The Qaeda affiliate in Yemen has also tried to plant bombs on United States-bound jetliners.Yemen is known as the home of one of Al Qaeda’s most organized and threatening affiliates, whose operatives are the targets of an American drone campaign to kill militants suspected of involvement in kidnapping for ransom and a string of deadly attacks on military targets. The Qaeda affiliate in Yemen has also tried to plant bombs on United States-bound jetliners.
Yemeni officials say that Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, as the affiliate is called, has infiltrated the country’s security services, and there were reports that the attackers on Thursday wore military uniforms.Yemeni officials say that Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, as the affiliate is called, has infiltrated the country’s security services, and there were reports that the attackers on Thursday wore military uniforms.
The attack was among the most brazen since May 2012, when a suicide bomber disguised as a soldier detonated explosives during a military parade rehearsal near the presidential palace, leaving hundreds dead and wounded.The attack was among the most brazen since May 2012, when a suicide bomber disguised as a soldier detonated explosives during a military parade rehearsal near the presidential palace, leaving hundreds dead and wounded.
The blast on Thursday was heard across Sana. Gunfire rang out after the car exploded, sending plumes of smoke into the air. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which some analysts said showed the hallmarks of Al Qaeda.The blast on Thursday was heard across Sana. Gunfire rang out after the car exploded, sending plumes of smoke into the air. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which some analysts said showed the hallmarks of Al Qaeda.
The attack was apparently timed to coincide with the changing of the guard at the complex, when gates are opened to allow soldiers to enter and leave. Yemeni special forces in armored vehicles surrounded the building, fighting gun battles with about a dozen assailants.The attack was apparently timed to coincide with the changing of the guard at the complex, when gates are opened to allow soldiers to enter and leave. Yemeni special forces in armored vehicles surrounded the building, fighting gun battles with about a dozen assailants.
In September, at least 21 government soldiers were killed by militants suspected of belonging to Al Qaeda in attacks on two military targets in the south of Yemen.In September, at least 21 government soldiers were killed by militants suspected of belonging to Al Qaeda in attacks on two military targets in the south of Yemen.
Al Qaeda is not the only source of unrest. The government is facing secessionists in the south and Shiite Muslim rebels in the north. Since the former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, was forced from office in 2011 by popular protests, the country has been run by an interim government ahead of elections expected next year.Al Qaeda is not the only source of unrest. The government is facing secessionists in the south and Shiite Muslim rebels in the north. Since the former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, was forced from office in 2011 by popular protests, the country has been run by an interim government ahead of elections expected next year.

Nasser Arrabyee reported from Sana, Yemen, and Alan Cowell from London.

Nasser Arrabyee reported from Sana, and Alan Cowell from London.