Aden, Islamic State suicide bombers target army recruits: 71 dead and 98 wounded
The jihadist attack hit a training center for new soldiers. Yemeni authorities speak of "massacre" with "the highest number of victims" ever recorded. Analysts and experts point out that the attack shows the difficulties of the government to restore security. Government and rebels ready for a new peace initiative.
Sana'a (AsiaNews / Agencies) - 71 dead and at least 98 injured is the updated toll of a suicide attack yesterday in Aden, southern Yemen, by militias of the Islamic State (IS). The target of the attack were young army recruits, fighting against the Houthi rebels and against Islamic extremist movements, including the same Daesh [Arabic acronym for the IS] in the area.
Yesterday's attack targeted a training camp in the north of Aden. The suicide bomber, on board a truck packed with explosives, rammed his vehicle into a group of new recruits waiting for the morning meal.
In the late afternoon IS leaders claimed responsibility for the attack in Aden, the "provisional capital" of Yemen, in the portion of the territory controlled by the government. Yemeni authorities describe a "massacre", with "the highest ever number of casualties in the city."
Witnesses said that the explosion was so strong "it collapsed the ceiling" of "hall” which caved in upon "many recruits" present in the area.
Over the past two months, the government leaders have recruited and trained hundreds of soldiers in Aden, in the context of a campaign launched to retake the southern provinces from ihadists. However, analysts and experts point out that yesterday's attack shows the difficulties faced by local authorities in trying to restore security in the area.
Meanwhile, the government and rebels have responded positively to a new peace initiative, launched by Gulf countries to put an end the conflict. The goal is the retreat of the Houthi rebels from the capital Sana'a and the formation of a government of national unity. The rebels are open to talks, provided that the Saudi-led coalition stop the attacks and the siege on the territories under their control.
Since January 2015, Yemen has been the scene of a bloody internal conflict pitting the country’s Sunni leaders, backed by Riyadh, against Shia Houthi rebels, close to Iran.
In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition began air strikes against the rebels in an attempt to free the capital Sana'a and bring back then exiled President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi. So far the air campaign – criticised by the UN - has killed at least 6,600 people, mostly civilians and many children. At least 2.5 million people have been displaced from their homes.
For Saudi Arabia, the Houthis, allied to forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, are supported militarily by Iran, a charge that Tehran rejects.
Extremist groups linked to al Qaeda and jihadist militias linked to Islamic State are active in the country, a fact that has helped escalate violence and terror.
.png)
06/10/2016 11:58
22/09/2016 09:32
13/10/2016 10:30
