45 killed in Yemeni suicide bomber attack, al-Qaeda blamedAugust 6, 2012 - 15:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Yemeni government has blamed al-Qaeda for a suicide bombing that has killed at least 45 people in the southern province of Abyan, according to BBC News. Dozens more were wounded in the attack on a funeral in the city of Jaar. The bomber is said to have detonated an explosive belt during the service held by a tribal militia that supported the army during recent fighting. Earlier, five alleged al-Qaeda militants were killed in a suspected US drone strike, Yemeni officials said. The drone reportedly targeted their vehicle in Hadramawt province. Local governor Jamal al-Aqal said in a statement that an investigation had been opened into the "criminal and cowardly" attack on the funeral service. A witness told Agence France-Presse news agency: "Bodies were flying in all directions because the explosion was so powerful." The Yemeni army carried out a major offensive against Islamist militants in Abyan earlier this year, taking control of the region in June with the help of civilian militias comprised of local tribesmen. Separatist unrest and al-Qaeda-linked militants such as Ansar al-Sharia have plagued the south for years. This attack has increased fears that Ansar al-Sharia remains active in the area, BBC News said. On Wednesday, militants attacked a police station in Jaar, killing several people. Al-Qaeda took advantage of a security vacuum during a year of protests against the former president Ali Abdullah Saleh to seize large parts of the south and east. When President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi came to power this year, he pledged his forces would crush the militants. The United States has used its drones in the region to support the military campaign. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |