The bomber struck a hospital, used as a base of operations by the rebel group, in the town of Majzar, in the province of Maarib, east of the capital. Islamist Ansar al-Sharia militia linked to al Qaeda behind attack. Saudi Arabia says political instability in Yemen poses a global threat.

Sanaa (AsiaNews / Agencies) - the death toll from a suicide bombing that took place yesterday in the town of Majzar, in the province of Maarib, east of Sanaa, capital of Yemen has risen to 15. A suicide bomber linked to al Qaeda, on board a car packed with explosives, hit a hospital used as a logistics and operational base by the rebel Shiite Houthi movement, which have laid siege to the capital in recent weeks and obtained the formation of a new government.

On 21 September, the rebel group conquered large areas of Sanaa and several buildings of strategic importance, including government offices and state television at the end of four days of fighting with the Sunni Islah troops. In spite of an agreement signed with the Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, to become part of the new coalition government, the Shiite militiamen do not intend to abandon the capital.

The Sunni Islamist movement affiliated to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), have issued a statement claiming "dozens of dead and wounded," from the Houthi group. It was an "act of martyrdom" by an "Ansar al-Sharia" militant who blew himself up "in a car packed with explosives."



The Islamist group adds that the goal was the hospital of Al-Jafra, transformed by the Houthi fighters into a base of operations in the province of Maarib. According to some local tribals in the area, in addition to the 15 deaths there are more than 50 injured, some in serious condition. At present there have been no official statements from the Houthi leader.

After targeting US military and civilian posts, the Sunni militiamen of Ansar al-Sharia diverted their attention on Shiite rebels, branded as heretics. Last week, they attacked Houthis in the northern province of Sadaa, considered a stronghold of Shiite rebels.

In a Middle Eastern context marked by outbreaks of violence and war, Washington and the Arab countries see Yemeni stability as a priority, given its closeness to Saudi Arabia and the presence of maritime trade routes (through the Gulf of Aden) of strategic importance .

In a speech at the UN yesterday Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, said that the situation in Yemen represents an "unprecedented challenge" and constitutes a "threat" to international security. He added that the agreement on the creation of a new government foundered because the Houthis have refused to "abandon the controlled areas of the capital."