15 dead in Qaeda assault on Yemen city

ADEN: Dozens of suspected Qaeda militants launched a night-time assault on one of southeastern Yemen´s main cities sparking fierce fighting that killed at least 15 people, security sources said on Saturday.

They attacked army bases and public buildings in Seiyun, second city of Hadramawt province, with car bombs, rocket-launchers and heavy machineguns, the sources said.

The regional military headquarters, the special forces base and the main police station were all targeted, along with local government offices and banks.

The assault in Hadramawt came as troops pressed a month-old ground offensive against Al-Qaeda in Abyan and Shabwa provinces to the west.

Security forces have been on high alert for Al-Qaeda reprisals for the offensive, particularly in the capital Sanaa.