Yemen: Twin car bomb explosions kill 6 army personnel near Aden airport

At least half a dozen military personnel have been killed and scores wounded when two car bombs exploded near a military base close to the Aden international airport in southern Yemen. In a fierce gun battle that followed the suicide car bomb explosions at the Solaban base, soldiers killed around 20 militants.

The first bomb went off at the entrance to the army base, while an explosives-laden second vehicle drove inside the base and exploded killing six Yemeni soldiers and injuring dozens, a source told AFP.

Reuters quoted security sources as saying that about two dozen militants attacked soldiers at the military base following the explosions in Khor Maksar district in southern Yemen. The sources added that the militants occupied several buildings at the base, but were gunned down by the soldiers in a fierce gun battle that lasted for about four hours.

No one has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but Islamic State (Isis) reportedly carried out a similar attack in the southern port of Mukalla about 10 days ago.

Government forces in the country have the port city of Aden under their control, but are struggling to secure it after having claimed it back from Shiite Houthi rebels more than a year ago. The rebels, waging a war against the Yemen government, have reportedly taken control of large parts of the country.

The attack comes at a time when Muslims across the world are gearing up to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of their holy fasting month of Ramadan.