In Yemen, at least 63 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack during a rehearsal for a military parade in the capital, Sanaa. According to officials, the assialant, who was reportedly wearing army uniform, blew himself up among a group of soldiers at al-Sabin Square, near the presidential palace. Most of the casualties were from the Central Security Organisation, a paramilitary force commanded by Yahya Saleh, a nephew of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

They had been practising for a parade for tomorrow for the National Unity Day which marks the anniversary of the 1990 unification of South Yemen and North Yemen. Officials said the attack happened shortly before Defence Minister Nasser Ahmed and the army chief-of-staff were expected to greet the troops.

However, medical sources said that at least 96 soldiers had been killed and 300 wounded, who they said were being treated in seven hospital across Sanaa.