Saudi-backed Yemen official survives assassination attempt

Governor of the Yemeni District of Al-Jawf Amin Al-Akeemi survived an assassination attempt yesterday morning after a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis targeted a meeting of government leaders, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.

The London-based news website reported that two tribal leaders and two bodyguards were killed in the attack.

Al-Jawf has witnessed escalating clashes since that start of March as the Houthis have taken control of wide swathes of the governorate. During the past few days, the internationally-backed government forces recaptured areas from the Houthis.

READ: Yemen Houthi control strategic areas in Marib governorate 

A Yemeni government source told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the Houthis launched the ballistic missile at a government office in Al-Yatma, north of Al-Jawf, where there was a meeting of senior military and tribal leaders.

The sources said that the Chief Commander of the Sixth Military Section of the Yemeni army, Major General Ali Al-Huda, was severely wounded in the attack. Scores of soldiers were also wounded.

The Houthis have not claim responsibility for the attack.