ADEN: A suicide bomber blew up an explosives-laden car at a checkpoint in Yemen’s restive southern province of Abyan yesterday, killing four pro-army gunmen, a member of a pro-military auxiliary militia said.
The military, meanwhile, reported that six militants died in clashes with troops elsewhere in Abyan.
“Four of our men were killed when a suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives at a checkpoint between Loder and Shaqra” in Abyan, a member of the Popular Resistance Committees fighting alongside the army said.
The militiamen from the Popular Resistance Committees are mainly armed local residents fighting alongside the army against Al-Qaeda-linked militants.
The source, who declined to be named, told AFP that militiamen foiled a similar attempt by another suicide attacker who passed by a checkpoint held by the gunmen.
The bomber blew himself up after militiamen pointed their guns at him to shoot him. He was killed alone, according to the same source.
Meanwhile, south of Abyan’s capital Zinjibar, clashes between Al-Qaeda militants and the army left six militants dead and five wounded, a military official said. A soldier was also wounded in the fighting.
Hours after the bombings, the army issued a statement carried by the state news agency Saba, banning movement from yesterday evening on several Abyan roads leading to towns where there is fighting.
It said the use of seven roads across Abyan has been completely banned over “danger to the lives of citizens because of operations by terrorist elements, including the use of bomb-laden cars and explosive belts targeting innocent citizens on roads and residential areas.”
“All citizens must abide totally with this to protect their lives and belongings,” it added, warning: “Any vehicle using these roads will be targeted until further notice.”
Yemeni forces launched an all-out offensive on May 12 aimed at reclaiming Zinjibar and other towns and cities in the province lost to Al-Qaeda over the past year.
Since the assault began, at least 397 people have been killed, according to an AFP tally compiled from official statements — 291 Al-Qaeda fighters, 66 military personnel, 22 local militiamen and 18 civilians.
FROM: AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
Suicide bomber kills four in Yemen
