SANA, Yemen — Yemeni security officials said a government official who once led a local militia against al-Qaida in the country’s south has survived a suicide bombing attack. One of his guards died of wounds suffered in the attack.
The officials said the attacker detonated his explosives Saturday near the vehicle of Mohammed Aidarous, the head of Lawder district in Abyan province. The officials said the explosion left 10 wounded, including three civilians. One guard later died of his wounds in a hospital in Aden. Aidarous had led a local militia that fought alongside Yemen’s military to drive al-Qaida militants out of their district.
It was the fourth assassination attempt against Aidarous, who was unharmed.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
Front Section, Pages 8 on 09/30/2012