Yemeni military commander and 3 others killed in a suspected al-Qaida attack in southern Yemen

By AHMED El-HAJ
Associated Press

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Security officials and an eyewitness say they suspect an al-Qaida attack in southern Yemen killed a military commander and three soldiers from a secessionist group. The officials said the attack occurred on Thursday when the commander and soldiers were traveling in a convoy through the south of the country. The officials said they believed al-Qaida’s branch in Yemen was responsible for the attack. Al-Qaida did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack but it is known to be active in Abyan province, where the attack occurred. The militant group has exploited Yemen’s yearslong conflict to cement its presence in the impoverished nation.