ADEN, Yemen (AP) - Suspected al-Qaida militants on Wednesday attacked an army complex in southern Yemen, killing at least six soldiers and two civilians, officials said.
The attack in the port city of Aden started when the militants detonated an explosives-laden car at the complex’s gate and fired on the troops, military officials said.
Hospital officials said three of the attackers also died in the subsequent shootout.
The defense ministry said a statement later that seven other attackers were killed during a chase by troops, and two were detained. It said the government regained control of the area, but that only one civilian was killed.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
The Aden attack appeared similar to one that targeted the defense ministry’s headquarters in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa last December in which more than 50 people were killed.
Al-Qaida in Yemen, which is considered the most active branch of the terror network, claimed responsibility for the Sanaa attack.
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