Opposing forces in Yemeni city clash
ADEN, Yemen – Forces loyal to Yemen’s former president stormed the international airport in the southern port city of Aden on Thursday, triggering an intense, hours-long gunbattle with the forces of the current president that intensified a monthslong struggle for power threatening to fragment the nation.
The fighting spread into clashes between the two sides around Aden, Yemen’s second most important city and economic hub. Amid the violence, warplanes launched airstrikes at the palace of embattled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, located on a rocky hill overlooking the Arabian Sea. The strikes caused no damage, and Hadi was not present at the time, an official said.
The assault in Aden was the latest against Yemen’s internationally backed president, Hadi, who was driven out of the capital, Sanaa, after a takeover by Shiite rebels known as Houthis. Hadi and his allies fled to Aden.
Islamic State group claims Tunis attack
TUNIS, Tunisia – The radical Islamic State group claimed responsibility Thursday for the attack on a famed Tunis museum that left 23 people dead and scores of tourists wounded and upended the country’s struggling tourism industry.
Defying the extremists, hundreds of Tunisians rallied Thursday at the National Bardo Museum, stepping around trails of blood and broken glass to proclaim their solidarity with the victims and with Tunisia’s democracy. One person carried a sign saying, “Tunisia is bloodied but still standing.”
Tunisian security forces arrested nine people, five with alleged direct connections to Wednesday’s attack by two gunmen who were later slain by police, the president’s office said.
Associated Press
