Deady explosion hits Yemen’s defense ministry

Shooting is reported to have broken out following the explosion, which occurred at the complex that houses Yemen's defence ministry. The Reuters news agency cited a source at the ministry, who said the blast was caused by a suicide bomber and that it had resulted in a large number of casualties.

'The attack took place shortly after working hours started at the ministry when a suicide bomber drove a car into the gate,' the source said.
Violence is common in Yemen, where military bases as well as other facilities such as oil and gas pipelines have repeatedly come under attack over the past year. Officials often blame al Qaeda-linked militants for such attacks.
An interim government that took power after long-time President Ali Abdullah Saleh was forced out of office in 2011 has also been battling secessionists in the south of the country and Houthi rebels in the north.