Yemeni security services have thwarted a bomb attack in Aden province, targeting Al-Wahdah Stadium that is being prepared to host the 20th Gulf Football Championships, Aden security Chief, Brigadier General, Abdullah Giran, told reporters.

A southern movement affiliate was caught placing a plastic bag containing 1,800 grams of dynamite in the neighborhood of Al-Wahdah Stadium in Aden city, Giran said.

In another development, he said six men had also been detained and anther two members of the group suspected of sabotage were being hunted by security services.

Earlier this month, twin bomb blasts rocked a sports centre in Aden, killing one person and wounding several others.

The football competition involving Yemen, Iraq and six Gulf States is to be held from Nov. 22 to Dec. 5 in Aden and neighboring Abyan province, which has seen an increasing number of Al-Qaeda attacks.

In an earlier statement, the southern movement in Yemen had demanded from the GCC countries not to participate in the regional soccer championship due to be held in Yemen next month.