Five soldiers killed in IS suicide attack in Aden

Five soldiers killed in IS suicide attack in Aden
Video: An Islamic State group suicide attack targeting army recruits in Aden has killed at least five on Yemen's second day of 'truce'.
2 min read
12 April, 2016

Aftermath of Yemen explosion

At least five Yemeni soldiers were killed when a suicide bomber belonging to the Islamic State group detonated an explosive belt among army recruits in Aden on Tuesday, the second day of the country's ceasefire.

The recruits were heading to their base in the southern coastal city when the militant infiltrated, in what seems to be a repeat of earlier attacks in Aden.

The attack took place on the second day of a nation-wide ceasefire agreed upon by all warring parties in Yemen's conflict.

The ceasefire, which took effect on Sunday at midnight, was largely holding on Monday - despite some violations by rebel fighters as well as the Saudi-led coalition.

General Mohamed Ali al-Makdashi accused Houthis of violating the ceasefire on several fronts, but maintained "the truce has not collapsed and we hope the [Houthi] rebels end their attacks and respect the ceasefire".

Prominent local analysts also reported violations by the Saudi-led coalition who allegedly continued to bombard parts of the country with airstrikes.

The temporary capital has seen an increase in violence amid growing security concerns.

In February, a car driven by a suicide bomber exploded at a military checkpoint, killing and injuring many in the northern area of Mosabein, Aden.

Dozens of soldiers were also killed in an earlier attack on a government military camp outside the presidential palace in the city, the sources said.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Islamic State group militants have taken advantage of 10 months of civil war in Yemen to expand their presence in Aden, where the embattled government is now based.