Yemen: Car bomb attack in Aden March 13

Event

On Tuesday morning (local time), March 13, a car laden with explosives was driven into a military kitchen facility in the Al-Derain area of Aden by a suicide bomber who detonated the car bomb, killing at least four people and wounding several others. The kitchen was reportedly used by Yemeni forces backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of yet.

Context

The port city of Aden - the seat of the internationally recognized government currently at war with Houthi rebels - is a frequent target of Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qa'ida militant attacks. On March 4, a drive-by shooting killed two security force members in the Mansourah neighborhood. Additionally, on February 24, twin vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attacks in Aden killed at least 14 people and wounded 54 others. Both attacks were claimed by IS.

Yemen has been engaged in a complex and deadly conflict since Houthi rebels started fighting the international coalition-backed government in 2015. In late January, pro-goverment forces backed by Saudi Arabia clashed with southern separatist Yemeni forces backed by the UAE in Aden, before a truce was brokered between the two allied Gulf states.

Advice

The security environment in Yemen remains complex. Due to poor security conditions, many Western governments strongly advise their citizens against all travel to Yemen. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.