Blast targets finance department in Aden

ISIL claims attack against Yemen government which leaves two dead

The aftermath of a blast targeting the Yemeni finance department offices in Aden on Wednesday. Courtesy: Ali Mahmood

Two people were killed and another was injured when a car bomb detonated near the finance department in the busy Khour Maksar district in Aden early on Wednesday morning.

An Aden police spokesman, Abdurrahman Al-Nakeeb, said that the investigation was ongoing but confirmed that a 2008 Toyota Corolla had detonated. It is not clear, however, if the explosives had been on a timer or triggered remotely.

In a statement by its Amaq propaganda arm, ISIL claimed the “detonation of a parked explosive-laden vehicle”, Reuters said, quoting the Site Intelligence monitoring group.

According to witnesses living close to the scene a car parked in front of the building exploded at 2 am causing damage to it and neighbouring structures.

However, an official said that the department’s records were safe.

“We need just four days to evacuate to another building and then we are going to resume our work,” said Mustafa Al-Shaery.

A Saudi-led coalition is helping restore the international recognised government of president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi to power. Aden serves as its headquarters while the capital Sanaa is held by Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran.

Read more: Yemen attack: At least 10 killed in ISIL-claimed blast in Aden