Yemen’s army chief vowed Tuesday no let-up in an offensive against Al-Qaeda after a suicide bomber killed 96 soldiers in a massive attack in the heart of Sanaa and two other would-be attackers were arrested. The attack on Monday, which also injured some 300 soldiers, drew sharp condemnation from Western powers and a pledge by US President Barack Obama to work with Sanaa to crush Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), blamed for several attempts to blow up US airliners and cargo planes. The suicide bomber, dressed as a soldier, detonated his explosives as an army battalion was rehearsing a parade at the capital’s Sabeen Square scheduled for Tuesday to mark the 22nd anniversary of Yemen’s reunification. The parade was replaced on Tuesday by a low-key, sombre ceremony attended by President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, who watched from behind a bullet-proof shield and left as soon as the event ended without making a speech. Army chief of staff Ali al-Ashwal used the occasion to warn Al-Qaeda and its local affiliates that the “war” against them would continue unabated.
