Sanaa, Yemen:
Security officials say suspected Al Qaeda gunmen have overrun a key military base in Yemen's largest province.
A colonel who works at the base in Hadramawt province but who was not there when it came under attack today says militants have taken control of the compound after a short gunbattle with soldiers.
He says the attackers are holding captive an unknown number of high-ranking officers and soldiers inside the base.
Yemeni officials say the attackers shot dead security guards at the base but have not released an exact death toll.
They say the military has sent in reinforcements and troops are now surrounding the compound.
The officials and the colonel spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
A colonel who works at the base in Hadramawt province but who was not there when it came under attack today says militants have taken control of the compound after a short gunbattle with soldiers.
He says the attackers are holding captive an unknown number of high-ranking officers and soldiers inside the base.
Yemeni officials say the attackers shot dead security guards at the base but have not released an exact death toll.
They say the military has sent in reinforcements and troops are now surrounding the compound.
The officials and the colonel spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
