Aden head of security shot dead in drive-by attack

Published August 30th, 2015 - 02:00 GMT
Yemeni security officials believe al-Sanidi was gunned down by al-Qaeda militants, as the group's been responsible for crimes committed in similar ways in the past.  (AFP/File)
Yemeni security officials believe al-Sanidi was gunned down by al-Qaeda militants, as the group's been responsible for crimes committed in similar ways in the past. (AFP/File)

The Yemeni city of Aden's head of security, Col. Abdelhakim al-Sanidi, was shot dead by gunmen on a motorcycle while driving on a street in al-Mansoura neigborhood Sunday, security officials told the Associated Press.

Although no group has claimed responsibilty for the assasination,  Yemeni officials say they suspect Al-Qaeda, since hitting a moving target from a moving motorcycle requires specialized training, and the group is known to have used motorcycles in previous assasinations.

High ranking officials said last week that hundreds of militants from al-Qaeda and other Islamist groups moved to the port city, exploiting a vacuum left by pro-government forces fighting to push Shia militants and their allies further north.

All officials spoke on condition of anonimity because they are not authorized to brief reporters.