Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi-led coalition aircraft killed 13 suspected jihadists in two overnight raids near the former Al-Qaeda stronghold of Mukalla, a security official said on Sunday.
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The attack occurred as the recruits lined up to enlist for military service at the home of a senior general in the Khor Maksar district of Aden, officials said.
Dozens of people took to the streets in Aden’s districts of Crater, Mualla, and Mansura to protest against the lack of power supply as temperatures soared to nearly 40C (104F) in the coastal city.
Most of the city’s electricity installations were destroyed during fighting between pro-government forces and Iran-backed rebels a year ago. It said the bombing at the residence of the commander killed more than 30 and was carried out by a native of Aden it identified as Abu Ali al-Adani.
Armed groups have gained ground in Aden since forces loyal to Hadi, and backed by the Saudi-led coalition, drove Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, out of the city in July past year.
The government had demanded a written pledge from the rebels and their allies recognising an April 2015 UN Security Council resolution calling for their withdrawal from the capital and other territories, as well as the legitimacy of Hadi.
The United Arab Emirates, which plays a key role in the pro-government coalition, has sent generators to Aden in recent months to help restore power supply in the city.
Last month, Hadi loyalists backed by Emirati and Saudi special forces drove Al-Qaeda out of Mukalla and the port city of Shihr further east, ending a year of jihadist rule.
The Al-Qaeda offshoot, also known as Ansar Al-Sharia, emerged in January 2009.
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It did not give casualty figures for the attack at the army recruitment centre, which it said was carried out by an explosive device, not a suicide vehicle bomb as security officials said. It did not give casualty figures for the attack at the army recruitment center. They said that security forces were combing the area for more gunmen and explosives.
