Tuesday 6 July 2010

Gunman killed in east Yemen shootout

Source: AFP

06\07\2010

Yemeni security forces killed a gunman after coming under fire from a car in the eastern province of Shabwa, a stronghold of Al-Qaeda, the interior ministry said on Tuesday.


Four unknown gunmen "opened fire at a security post" in the city of Ataq, wounding a policeman, the ministry said on its website.


Security forces "responded in self defence," killing one of the passengers in the car "from which the attack was carried out," it said, adding that the three other assailants fled.


The identity card of a Saudi national was found in the car along with his driving licence, issued by United Arab Emirates authorities, according to the ministry.


In Marib province, another Al-Qaeda stronghold, "eight subversive elements" opened fire on an army post and fled without causing casualties, the ministry reported.


Shabwa and Marib are scenes of frequent unrest as Al-Qaeda militants are believed to be using regions of eastern Yemen as hideout and regrouping posts.


Yemen is the ancestral homeland of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and has been the target of several attacks claimed by the group on foreign missions, tourist sites and oil installations.


No comments:

Post a Comment