'Al Qaida takes over Yemen army camp'
Al Qaida-affiliated fighters seized an army base in Southern Yemen and held soldiers prisoner on Thursday. The United States, Britain and France have closed their embassies in Sana’a, citing security concerns.
Benomar said Yemen’s economy was facing imminent collapse and called for more dialogue to reach a peaceful settlement.
“They are all party to what has happened so far, they have all made mistakes and follies and sometimes groups resorted to violence to realise political aims,” the envoy said.
Yemen, which borders top oil exporter Saudi Arabia, is home to Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, one of the global network’s most active arms that has carried out attacks abroad.
Soldiers killed
Meanwhile, Al Qaida militants overran an army camp in Southern Yemen on Thursday following clashes that killed at least seven people, a local government official said.
The militants seized the camp of the 19th Infantry Brigade in Baihan, a town in southern Shabwa province, the official said, adding that three soldiers were among those killed.
Ansar Al Sharia, the main arm of Al Qaida in Yemen, claimed the attack in a statement on Twitter, accusing troops at the camp of links to Al Houthi militia controlling the capital.
It published pictures of its militants raising the black and white flag of Al Qaida at the camp entrance, as well as pictures of soldiers it claimed to have captured.
Tribal sources said the militants seized “dozens” of soldiers and took their weapons, but freed them following tribal mediation.
The tribes are demanding Al Qaida hands over the arms.
The attack came a day after the United States, Britain and France announced the closure of their embassies in Sana’a, citing security fears after the Houthis took power in the capital.
Yemen-based Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is seen by the United States as the deadliest branch of the global extremist network.
AQAP claimed responsibility for last month’s attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo that left 12 people dead.
Yemen, a deeply tribal country, has been shaken by growing unrest since Al Houthis seized control of Sana’a in September before pushing farther south.
They have met deadly resistance from Al Qaida as well as Sunni tribes.
Al Houthis dissolved parliament and declared a “presidential council” last week after Western-backed president Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi tendered his resignation saying he could no longer govern.
Yemeni authorities have for years allowed the United States to carry out drone strikes against AQAP on their soil, and Hadi had been a key US ally in fighting Al Qaida.
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