Sunday, May 15, 2016
Yemeni officials said a suicide bombing today killed at least 25 police recruits in the city of Mukalla, Yemen. Islamic State claimed responsibility.
The attack took place where the recruits were queuing outside a police base. Security forces stated Mubarak al-Awthaban, the city’s security director, was nearby in an office but survived the attack.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack through Amaq, their online news agency. They stated the attacker was a “martyrdom-seeker” who used an explosive belt. They also claimed at least 40 people had been killed.
This is the second recent attack in Mukalla, following the expulsion of their rivals al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in a campaign by forces from Yemen and a Saudi led coalition. AQAP had taken the city during Yemen’s recent civil war, during which time they were able to take control over much of the country’s south coast.