Suicide bomber attacks Yemen’s defense ministryDecember 5, 2013 - 11:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A suicide bomber drove a car packed with explosives into the gate of Yemen's Defense Ministry on Thursday, December 5 causing a large number of casualties, a source at the ministry told Reuters, the news agency reported. Gun shots were heard near the area shortly after the explosion and ambulances rushed to the scene, a Reuters witness said. Several army vehicles also rushed to the scene in the old district of the capital Sanaa which is also home to the country's central bank, the witness said. Violence is common in Yemen, where an interim government is grappling with southern secessionists, al Qaeda-linked militants and northern Houthi rebels, as well as severe economic problems inherited from veteran President Ali Abdullah Saleh who was forced out of office in 2011. "The attack took place shortly after working hours started at the ministry when a suicide bomber drove a car into the gate," the Defense Ministry source said. The exact number of casualties was still unclear. "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. Related links: 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |