Dozens dead in Houthi rocket attack on Yemen military parade
Missile stike happened during military parade for new recruits in southern Yemen port of Aden
Mina Aldroubi
Mina Aldroubi and Ali Mahmood
August 1, 2019
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for an attack on a military parade in the government-held port city of Aden on Thursday, military officials told The National.
The attack on Al Jalaa military camp in west Aden killed at least 30 officers, the officials said.
Houthis Al Masirah TV claimed the attack was carried out with a drone and a ballistic missile. The rebel channel claimed the drone was a Qasef-2K, a variant of an Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicle.
But Yemeni military sources believed only a missile was used.
Security forces gather at the site of a deadly attack in Aden, Yemen. AP Photo
Security forces gather at the site of a deadly attack in Aden, Yemen. AP Photo
“The missile exploded in the courtyard of the military base resulting in the death of more than 30 officers, the attack was not conducted by a drone," a military source told The National.
Brigadier General Munir Mahmoud Al Yafaei, who is known as Abu Al Yamamah, was killed in the attack. Abu Al Yamamah was one of the most prominent military commanders in southern Yemen.
"The general was on a podium standing next to other military officials when the attack took place, the rocket fell directly on him," the official said.
The camp is supported by the Arab Coalition that intervened on behalf of the the internationally recognised government of President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi.
Yemen has been embroiled in a four-year war begun by the Iran-aligned rebels. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions left on the brink of famine, the UN says.
Earlier on Thursday, a suicide bomber attacked a local police station in the Sheikh Othman neighbourhood of Aden.
Yemen attack
Graphic: Ramon Penas / The National
Three police officers were killed and more than 20 people wounded, including several civilians, when the attacker detonated his device as policemen were arriving for the start of their shifts.
Medical officials expected the death toll to rise.
"Tens of wounded were hospitalised at Aden surgical hospital after an explosion in the surrounding area," Doctors Without Borders said on Twitter.
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No group has claimed responsibility for the second attack.
Security in Aden has improved in recent months as the Arab Coalition has trained and supported hundreds of local police and the UAE has helped establish a counter-terrorism force of six units, each 100-strong.
Such attacks are relatively rare.
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Houthi rebels regularly launch ballistic missile and drone attacks on government forces and over the border at targets in Saudi Arabia, however they are not known for carrying out suicide attacks.
Previous suicide bombings have been claimed by ISIS or Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Despite gains by government forces, both groups remain a threat.
Last February, a suicide attack claimed by ISIS in Aden killed a mother and three of her children outside a military base in Aden. At least 40 others were wounded when the bombers detonated their explosive-rigged vehicles in the Gold Mohur area of Aden's Al Tawahi district.
According to officials, the death toll included a member of Aden's elite counter-terrorism forces.
Two other attackers wearing explosive belts also tried to climb over the gate of the military base but were shot dead by guards before they could blow themselves up.
The aftermath of a double suicide attack in Yemen's Aden. Ali Mahmood
The aftermath of a double suicide attack in Yemen's Aden. Ali Mahmood
Updated: August 1, 2019 02:34 PM
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