Yemeni defense minister survives assassination attempt in Taiz

SANAA, Yemen

Yemeni Defense Minister Mohsen al-Daeri on Saturday survived an assassination attempt in southwestern Yemen, according to a local official.

The minister’s convoy came under attack from a rebel explosives-laden drone in Kadha, west of Taiz province, the official told Anadolu on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Taiz Governor Nabil Shamsan also escaped unhurt in the drone attack.

No injuries were reported in the attack, which only caused material damage.

The Yemeni official said two soldiers were killed in another rebel attack on a military checkpoint in Kadha.

There was no comment from the Houthi group on the accusation.

On Friday, Yemeni Information Minister Moammar Al-Eryani accused the Houthi group of escalating attacks in Taiz, forcing hundreds of families to flee their areas.

Yemen has been ravaged by violence and instability since 2014, when Iran-aligned Houthi rebels captured much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar