Al-Qaeda blow up 700-year-old mosque in Yemen
Al-Qaeda have grown in power as Yemen has been consumed with a fierce civil war spanning much of the Arab world's poorest nation
Suspected Al-Qaeda militants stand during a hearing at a court in the Yemeni capital Sanaa (AFP)
Published date: 7 August 2015 17:44 BST
|
Last update: 8 years 8 months ago
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) on Thursday blew up a 700-year-old mosque in Yemen's south-west province of Lahj.
The Sheikh Omar Ali al-Saqaff mosque was targeted by the militants presumably on the basis that they oppose its Sufi Islam affiliation.
Al Qaeda have a far-reaching presence in Yemen, although they do not control vast amounts of territory.
The group, viewed by the United States as al-Qaeda's most dangerous branch, has grown in power as Yemen has become embroiled in a civil war supplemented by a Saudi-led coalition launching a campaign of airstrikes to push back Houthi militiamen.
Stay informed with MEE's newsletters
Sign up to get the latest alerts, insights and analysis, starting with Turkey Unpacked
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
