Five killed 10 injured in Al Qaeda attack on security offices

By Nasser Arrabyee/14/07/2010
At least five people were killed and 10 others injured when gunmen believed to be Al Qaeda militants, attacked two separate security offices in the city of Abyan, south of Yemen, official and local sources said Wednesday.

The official sources said that that two of the attackers were killed and seven were arrested.
The car of the attackers was seized with explosive belts and guns for snipers on board , the defense ministry website said. Five soldiers at least were injured in the two attacks, according to the official sources.

Local sources, however, said that the gunmen attacked the headquarters of the intelligence and headquarters of the general security in Abyan in two separate but simultaneous operations .

The sources said the attackers used motor cycles in the two attacks. RPG , hand grenades and Kalashnikovs were used in the two operations which took place at about 8:00 am.

Eyes witnesses said that the attackers were able to escape in the direction of Ja’ar, a mountainous area in Abyan where Al Qaeda suspects hide.

The attacks came after dozens were arrested in a campaign implemented by the government who was looking for militants accused of assassinating at least two high ranking intelligence officers over the last weeks in Abyan.

Earlier this week, Al Qaeda in Yemen claimed responsibility for the June 19th, 2010. Attack on the headquarters of the intelligence in the southern coastal city of Aden where 11 people were killed.