ISIL claims responsibility for multiple explosions in the Yemeni city of Aden, which kill at least 15 pro-government troops. A least seven die in a separate suicide attack on a mosque in the capital,
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The self-proclaimed Islamic State – or ISIL – has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on Yemeni officials and Saudi-led coalition troops in Aden.
It’s the first time the militant group has openly targeted the government and the coalition forces, which have been battling Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen since March, 2015.
PM ‘escaped unharmed’
A government spokesperson said Prime Minister and Vice President Khaled Bahah escaped unharmed. But, at least 15 troops were killed in attacks ISIL claims specifically targeted Saudi, Emirati and Yemeni officers.
Suicide bombings, or rocket attacks?
It says the blasts were the result of suicide bombings. However Yemeni officials claim the explosions, which shook a hotel, the coalition’s headquarters and a camp, were caused by rockets launched from outside Aden.
Yemeni and Arab troops successfully ejected Houthi rebels from the strategically-important port city in July, 2015.
Sana’a mosque suicide attack
According to Houthi sources, the attacks were followed by a suicide bombing in a mosque in the capital Sana’a, which killed at least seven people.