Yemen: Al-Qaeda captures airport of Mukalla
Military officials and residents say al-Qaeda has taken control of a major airport in southern Yemen after briefly clashing with troops.
The officials say al-Qaeda fighters clashed Thursday with members of the infantry brigade in charge of protecting the Riyan airport in the city of Mukalla, a major port city and the provincial capital of Yemen’s largest province, Hadramawt.
Al-Qaeda overran the city itself earlier this month and freed inmates, including a militant commander, from its prison.
Nasser Baqazouz, an activist in the city, said the troops guarding the airport put up little resistance.