SANAA, Yemen – A suicide vehicle bombing claimed by the Islamic State in Yemen’s southern city of Aden on Monday killed at least 54 pro-government recruits, officials said, underscoring how the militant group has been able to exploit Yemen’s civil war to stage large-scale attacks.
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Attacks in Aden are often claimed by jihadists from either Al-Qaeda or Isil, which have both taken advantage of the chaos in Yemen to make gains in southern and southeastern regions.
The Islamic State group is claiming responsibility.
According to the Aden governor’s office and medics, no fewer than 71 people were said to have been killed in the attack, and at least 33 others were wounded.
“Bodies and body parts are scattered all over the place”, said Mohammed Osman, a neighbour who rushed to the scene.
Saudi Arabia is leading an Arab coalition that is backing the internationally recognised government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and carrying out airstrikes against the Shiite rebels, whom it says are backed by Iran. The port city is the temporary base of the country’s Gulf-backed government and has been the target of a number of bombings and shootings aimed at officials and security forces. The fighting has allowed al-Qaida and an IS affiliate to expand their reach, particularly in the south.
Another local resident, Faisal Abdul Hafeth al-Doqm, a 30-year-old lawyer, said the Islamic State released a statement on local news websites saying it was behind the attack and identifying the suicide bomber as Ahmed Saif, a man of Somali descent who was born and raised in Aden.
Thousands of people have died in the conflict, and millions have been internally displaced. On Sunday, Yemen’s exiled government said it would give an “initial welcoming” to more peace talks with the rebels with a view to forming a unity government.
United Nations -mediated peace talks in Kuwait were suspended earlier this month with no signs of progress.
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The Arab coalition has also stepped up its airraids in Yemen since peace talks collapsed.
