Saudi diplomat killed in Yemeni capital

Military official and his guard fatally shot by unidentified fighters as they travelled in their car in Sanaa.

Sanaa map

A Saudi diplomat and his bodyguard have been killed when their car came under fire in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, officials said.

The Saudi military official was travelling to the embassy on Wednesday morning when he was shot by unidentified assailants in another car in the 50th Street.

The officials said the fighters were wearing army uniforms.

The attack took place in Sanaa’s southern district of Hada, where embassies and diplomats’ residences are located.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sanaa has seen several attacks on members of the security forces in recent months, most of which have been claimed by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

Fighters are still holding Saudi’s deputy consul in the southern port city of Aden, Abdullah al-Khalidi, who was abducted on March 28 by men seeking to secure the release of female prisoners and to collect a ransom.

Al-Qaeda has exploited the weakening central government in Sanaa to strengthen its presence in areas across the restive south and southeast.

Source: News Agencies