Yemen violence: 'Thirty dead' in twin attacks on army

At least 30 people were killed when suspected militants launched simultaneous attacks on military targets in southern Yemen, sources say.

Two car bombs reportedly exploded at a camp in Shabwa province, killing around 20 soldiers and wounding many others.

In a second assault in the area, gunmen also shot 10 soldiers in the town of Maifaa.

The government is battling al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants who often target the military.
A concealed bomb in one car exploded among a group of soldiers, as the driver sought to enter the camp, Reuters news agency reports.

The other explosive device was believed to have been detonated inside the camp.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula

• Formed in January 2009 by a merger between al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia and Yemen
• Based in eastern Yemen
• Led by Nasser al-Wuhayshi, a Yemeni former aide to Osama Bin Laden. Deputy leader Saudi ex-Guantanamo inmate Said al-Shihri reported killed in September 2012
• Aims to topple Saudi monarchy and Yemeni government, and establish an Islamic caliphate
• Came to prominence with Riyadh bombings in 2003, and 2008 attack on US embassy in Sanaa
• Says it was behind an attempt to blow up US passenger jet in December 2009

In Maifaa, the attackers opened fire on a group of soldiers on military patrol, before escaping in stolen army vehicles, witnesses said.

AQAP, which is based in Yemen, has been described by the US as one of the world's most dangerous branches of al-Qaeda.

The group was formed in January 2009 when two al-Qaeda offshoots in Yemen and Saudi Arabia merged.
Led by a former aide to Osama Bin Laden, it has vowed to attack oil facilities, foreigners and security forces as it seeks to topple the Saudi monarchy and Yemeni government, and establish an Islamic caliphate.

Last month, the US and several other Western countries temporarily shut their embassies in the capital Sanaa after reports of an imminent al-Qaeda attack.

Washington frequently carries out drone strikes against suspected al-Qaeda targets in Yemen, although officials never comment on individual strikes.