Intelligence official killed in southern Yemen

Colonel Ahmed Barmada, deputy chief of political security in the city of Mukalla, was killed on his way to work. Provincial sources said al-Qaeda could be behind the attack, reported the September 26 website, which is affiliated with the ministry.

Insurgents linked to the terrorist network took advantage of a popular uprising last year and strengthened their presence in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula country, mainly in the south.

The Yemeni army, backed by US drones, has since April been pursuing a high-profile campaign against al-Qaeda-linked radicals.