Al-Qaida branch claims attack in Yemen

Cairo: Yemen’s al-Qaida branch has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Defense Ministry that killed 52 people. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula’s media arm, al-Mallahem, said on its Twitter account early on Friday that it attacked the Defense Ministry building because it “accommodates drone control rooms and American experts.”  The claim of responsibility also was posted on militant websites that usually carry al-Qaida statements. It said security headquarters used by the Americans in their war against the Muslim nation are “legitimate targets.” The two-stage attack on Thursday in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, started with a suicide car bombing that was followed by a fierce gun fight. (AP)