Sana’a: An intelligence officer was killed in the Yemeni capital on Sunday when a bomb ripped though his car, local sources said.
Colonel Mohammad Fadhel Saeed, was driving when his exploded near the ministry of oil, killing him and an associate and injuring a pedestrian. Police subsequently sealed off the street and deployed forces in the area.
The Ministry of defence initially said that the blast occurred when a suicide bomber blew up his explosive-laden car at the rear gate of the ministry of oil, killing him and two pedestrians.
Colonel Saeed is the latest victim of a series of drive-by killings that mainly target intelligence and army officers.
No one has claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack, but the troubled government often points finger to Al Qaida’s active branch in the country.
Brazen attacks
In the past, similar attacks used to occur in the restive provinces of the country, but recently the attackers carried out brazen assassination bids in the heart of the capital Sana’a.
Early this month, three big blasts rocked the capital, close to the ministry of defence and the French embassy. Interior ministry later said that the explosions caused by rockets launched from former president’s stronghold in Sanhan, outside the capital.
Violence has intensified across the country in recent months. Hundreds of people have been killed in the continuing fierce clashes between Al Houthis and tribesmen in the north. In the south, army has recently engaged in battles with armed tribesmen seeking revenge for the death of a tribal leader killed in December.
