Suicidal attacks at Yemeni Defense Ministry

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Originally published on December 5, 2013

Suicide attacks on Yemen's defense ministry have left at least 19 dead and dozens wounded on Thursday (December 5).

Militants launched the attacks on the heavily guarded compound located in Sanaa's
Bab al-Yaman district. Yemen's Central Bank is also located in the area.

The New York Times reported that the attacks were synchronised with the changing of the guard shift. A suicide bomber drove a car filled with explosives into the compound and detonated the car bomb, sending billows of smoke into the air.

"The explosion was very violent, the whole place shook because of it and plumes of smoke rose from the building," an employee who works in a nearby building told Reuters.

A pickup truck carrying about a dozen armed militants followed the first vehicle. The militants stormed the hospital inside the Defense Ministry complex and exchanged gunfire with security forces. All militants were reportedly killed or captured, while the hospital was badly damaged.

Yemeni authorities have not yet released an official death toll, but it is known that at least 10 soldiers and nine militants were killed. It is expected that the final death toll will stand much higher.

No group has claimed responsibility, but experts say it is highly likely that Al-Qaeda militants were behind the operation.

Yemen has witnessed multiple terrorist attacks in recent years. The country is battling several insurgencies, including southern secessionists, al-Qaeda-linked militants and northern Houthi rebels.

Government control over the nation diminished, enabling the insurgents to take over some southern cities. However, they were driven out in 2012 during an offensive supported by the U.S.

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