Story highlights
A car bomb explodes in Yemen, killing a general, a government official says
The blast also injured two children standing nearby
The general commanded a unit that included counterterrorism troops, the official says
A car bomb exploded in Aden on Friday, killing the commander of a Yemeni counterterrorism unit and seriously injuring two children, according to a Yemeni government official who is not authorized to speak to the media.
Major Gen. Ali Al-Hajji commanded a battalion of Central Security Forces troops, which includes counterterrorism units, the official said.
The bomb was planted in Al-Hajji’s car and exploded while the vehicle was traveling near the 22 May Soccer Stadium, according to the official.
Two children standing near the car when it exploded, ages 5 and 14, were seriously injured by the blast and were taken to a hospital, the official said.
The area has been sealed off for an investigation, the official said.
No suspect has been named, but Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Ansar Al-Sharia have stepped up attacks against security forces in Aden the last few months.