Yemen PM escapes after gunmen shoot at motorcade
Updated: 2013-09-01 04:06
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
SANAA - Gunmen opened fire on the motorcade of Yemen's prime minister on Saturday, but Salem Basindwa escaped unhurt, an aide said.
Ali al-Sarari, an adviser to Basindwa, said the attack happened in the evening in Sanaa while Basindwa was returning home from his office.
Yemeni Prime Minister Mohammed Salem Basindwa attends a meeting with UN special representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui (unseen) in Sanaa in this Nov 27, 2012 file photo.[Photo/Agencies] |
Sarari said Basindwa's guards identified the licence plates of the car used in the attack and security forces were trying to track it down after the assailants fled the scene.
US allied Yemen is grappling with a host of challenges, foremost of which an al Qaida threat, as it tries to restore state control over the country after months of turmoil in 2011 that saw long-serving President Ali Abdullah Saleh step down.
Basindwa was appointed prime minister after Saleh quit under a Gulf brokered power transfer deal that saw his deputy, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, take his place.
Home to Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), considered one of the most aggressive branches of the global militant organisation, Yemen shares a long border with Saudi Arabia, a US ally and the world's top oil exporter.
The US government supports Yemeni forces with funds and logistical support.
Related Stories
US drone strikes kill 5 al-Qaida members in Yemen 2013-08-11 09:28
Gunmen shoot down military chopper in Yemen 2013-08-06 21:57
Yemen offers $25,000 for wanted al-Qaida members 2013-08-06 18:48
US urges its citizens to leave Yemen 2013-08-06 18:41
Yemen enhances security over embassies 2013-08-05 06:24
Today's Top News
Obama seeking lawmakers' OK for Syria strike
Li calls for education equality
Liquid ammonia leak kills 15 in Shanghai
5.9-magnitude quake jolts SW China
Economic slowdown, railways hold back airlines
US says 1,429 killed in Aug. 21 chemical attack
UK asked NY Times to destroy Snowden material
President Xi urges military to expand training
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Caught in the Web of rumor and innuendo |
Power points |
Magnetic attraction for
|
Urban push |
Summer Guide Special |
Reaching for the summit |