Yemen Navy Stops Suicide Attack Off Abyan Coast

Sana'a, August 28, 2011- Yemen's navy says it has stopped a suicide attack by a speed boat approaching one of its vessels.

The navy Sunday said a boat suspected of carrying explosives was heading toward a Yemeni warship off the coast of volatile Abyan province late Saturday. A Yemeni commander, Ruwais Mujawar, said navy ships fired on the boat and sank it after it ignored several warning shots.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but al-Qaida has used boats in the past to attack warships.

In October 2000, an al-Qaida attack on the USS Cole Navy destroyer in the port of Aden killed 17 American sailors.

Yemeni security forces continue to battle al-Qaida insurgents in Abyan province, where the militants have captured areas including the provincial capital, Zinjibar, and the town of Jaar.