The death toll from the suicide bombing which targeted a condolence ceremony of pro-government fighters in south Yemen rose on Sunday to more than 40 victims, security sources in Abyan province said.
Some of those who were injured died from wounds in hospitals, the sources said, pointing out that over 40 others were injured in the attack by a suspected Al-Qaeda militant in the Jaar town late on Saturday.
Earlier, sources said the bomber detonated his explosives belt while crowds of people were offering condolences to head of the pro-government fighters, who supported the army in its war on the militants in the past months. Most of the victims were of the fighters, they continued.
The attack was the deadliest in Abyan since the army defeated Al-Qaeda in Abyan and Shabwa in the past few months. However, the deadliest ever attack occurred in the capital Sanaa in May killing more than one hundred soldiers and injuring about three hundred others while rehearsing a military parade.
In the past few weeks, militants raided villages and military and security posts coinciding with reports that Al-Qaeda militants have come back to some positions and were moving freely in Abyan.
The Yemeni army launched throughout April-May a US-backed offensive and drove Al-Qaeda militants out of their strongholds in Abyan and Shabwa provinces. Hundreds of militants were killed including senior leaders.
Also, many terrorist cells and operatives have been arrested in recent weeks within an extensive hunt for militants who were reported to have planned to regroup and recruit new fighters after their defeat in the south.
In retaliation for the severe blows, Al-Qaeda has carried out deadly suicide bombings in several Yemeni cities including the capital Sanaa targeting military and security chiefs, personnel, cadets and offices.