Al Qaeda attacks Yemen prison, frees six inmates

Washington: Al Qaeda militants attacked a prison in southern Yemen Friday and freed six of their fighters, only a day after the group took over a military camp in the country, security officials said.

These attacks by the Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)occurred in Yemen's Shabwa province, more than 100 miles (over 160 km) to the east of capital Sana'a, which has been in political strife for weeks after Houthi rebels took over the control of the city, CNN reported.

At least three more nations, including neighbouring Saudi Arabia, announced Friday that they were temporarily closing their embassies in Sana'a because of deteriorating security conditions.

Three of the six militants freed in Friday's prison attack had been sentenced to death, provincial security officials said.

Information about casualties, and details about how the attack transpired, weren't immediately available.

A day earlier, AQAP took over a military camp at the Shabwa town of Bayhan, after two hours of fighting with the government troops and the militants took over all of the camp's weaponry.

Before the clashes ended, the camp's commander called on tribal fighters to intervene. When those fighters arrived, a ceasefire was called so that the tribal fighters could help evacuate the Yemeni soldiers -- including dozens injured -- from the camp, a tribal leader said.