SAN`A, YEMEN - An explosion damaged several buildings in downtown San'a on Tuesday, including one that witnesses said houses a Yemeni intelligence office. A group saying it backs the al-Qaida terror network claimed responsibility. <br>
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No injuries were reported in the blast that occurred in front of adjacent building entrances of the General Civil Aviation Authority and a branch office of the Yemeni intelligence service. <br>
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Security officials told the official news agency, Saba, that an explosive device detonated at 6:25 a.m. in front of the aviation authority, damaging its windows and front gate and a neighboring house. The agency quoted an official who spoke on condition of anonymity, and who did not mention the intelligence office. <br>
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The explosion also broke windows on two buses, the official said. The agency reported no casualties. <br>
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The group, which did not identify itself further, previously claimed responsibility for an explosion Friday that targeted a Yemeni municipal employee's house. That bomb caused no injuries or serious damage. <br>
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In a statement Tuesday, the group renewed its threat to carry out bombings during upcoming weeks if some 173 people being held in Yemen were not released. The statement said those being held committed no crimes but were al-Qaida members. The claim could not be independently confirmed. <br>
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Yemen's government admitted there may be al-Qaida suspects in the country, but has been unable to arrest two key suspects. Yemen also said the terror network has no military training camps or any other organized presence in the country. <br>
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Yemen, the poorest country of the Arabian Peninsula, has committed itself to joining the U.S. war on terrorism in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. Security in Yemen has been a top concern of the United States since the attack on the USS Cole in October 2000 that killed 17 American sailors in Aden harbor.
