100 killed as rogue soldier blows himself in Yemeni military parade | WPN World People News

Nearly 100 people, mostly soldiers, were killed when a man apparently wearing an explosive laden vest under his army uniform blew himself up in the midst of a military parade rehearsal Monday, officials said.

A militant group, Ansar al-Sharia, affiliated with the Al Qaeda terror network, has claimed the responsibility of the attack that also injured over 200 in the Yemeni capital's famed Sabeen Square. Officials feared that the death toll may rise as most of the injured had wounds on their heads and many were reported paralyzed.

"We expect the death toll to rise. Most of the injured here are boys in their teens. Sanaa's hospitals are overwhelmed," Mohsen al-Dhahari, a Yemeni doctor, was quoted as saying by Reuters.

It was the deadliest attack in the city in recent times as eyewitnesses recounted the moment of horror saying blood and body parts were scattered over a huge area.

Some victims in pools of their blood were strewn across the 10-lane road where the rehearsal was held as the place is not far from the presidential palace.

Yemen's defence minister and chief of defence staff were present at the rehearsal event for Tuesday's National Day parade. But both escaped unhurt.

Officials suspect the attack was carried out by a rogue soldier rather than a disguised terrorist.

"The suicide bomber was dressed in a military uniform. He had a belt of explosives underneath," said Colonel Amin al-Alghabati, who had evacuated some injured to hospitals.

The impoverished country has seen a spate of terror attacks since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi replaced Ali Abdullah Saleh in February saying he would end Islamist insurgency in the south of the nation.

Source: Middle East News.Net