At least 14 central security soldiers died and 7 others were injured in a militant suicide bombing in Yemen’s port city of Aden on Saturday, the defense ministry said.
Militants rammed an explosives-laden car into the building of the intelligence headquarters this morning in an attack that destroyed some floors and triggered a fire in the building, the ministry said.
The militants clashed with the guards at one of the gates of the building killing and injuring soldiers and then headed to the gate between the building and the TV station firing rockets on it, the ministry said.
“The rockets led to opening the gate and then the militants drove the car into the building and detonated it,” it said, adding that the militants also burned an armored car that was parked in front of the building.
“Bodies are still under the debris after destroying part of the office,” it continued.
The attack comes amid deteriorating security situation affecting the transitional period in Yemen.
Main cities including the capital Sanaa and the business capital of Aden have recently witnessed deadly suicide bombings by Al-Qaeda militants, who received severe blows during a US-backed offensive in Abyan and Shabwa.
Military and security chiefs, personnel, cadets and offices have been main targets.
Al-Qaeda is retaliating after the army drove its militants out of their strongholds, killed hundreds of them including senior leaders and has recently arrested many cells and key operatives.
Also, security disorders including attacks against key ministries in the capital by leaders of the former regime are threatening the West-backed democratic transition as the country is struggling to restore stability and return to the situation to normal after the 2011 turmoil.