Dozens killed in Yemen suicide car bomb, assault

A suicide bomber and gunmen attacked the heavily guarded defense ministry compound in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, killing 52 people.

Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsbility for the attack. A statement issued on Twitter Friday by the group’s media arm said it attacked the Defense Ministry building complex in the capital Sana’a because it “accommodates drone control rooms and American experts.”

According to an official government statement, 167 people were wounded in the attack.

Ambulances and rescue vehicles rushed to the scene of the attack at the defense ministry, as soldiers inside the compound battled attackers for several hours. Most of the casualties occurred at the ministry’s hospital where doctors and nurses reportedly were killed.

Yemeni state TV showed images of dead gunmen. Witnesses said grenades and automatic weapons were used by the assailants.

One soldier said he and his colleagues heard the bomb explosion and saw militants break into the compound and attack people.

Source: VOANEWS