Al-Qaeda suicide bomber targets Yemen's Defense Minister

By Fatik al-Rodaini

SANA'A, May 21, 2012- Al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula, AQAP, said on Monday in a statement posted on the Internet that they the suicide bombing attacks that killed 96 Yemeni soldiers was in revenge for the U.S. war on its followers in southern Yemen and that it had targeted the Yemeni defense minister and his top commanders.

The statement warned of more attacks will follow if the military campaign in the southern province of Abyan did not stop.

"We will take revenge, God willing, and the flames of war will reach you everywhere, and what happened is but the start of a jihad project in defense of honor and sanctities," the statement, addressing Yemeni military commanders,'' the statement read.

Meanwhile, Yemen's defense ministry said in its website the death toll in a suicide bombing at a military parade rehearsal in the capital Sanaa has risen to 90.

Military officials said Monday's bombing, which took place near Sanaa's presidential palace, is one of the deadliest attacks in the city in years.

They say the attacker was a soldier taking part in the drill, lining up with fellow troops at a main square in the capital.

At least 100 others were injured in the attack, they added.