Qaeda claims bomb plot against US envoy in Yemen

An Al-Qaeda-linked group claimed Saturday to have plotted to kill US ambassador to Yemen Matthew H. Tueller.

Ansar al-Sharia wrote on Twitter that its militants had planted two explosive charges outside the residence of Yemeni President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi during his meeting with the US diplomat on Thursday.

The group said that the bombs had been planned to explode when the US diplomat left Hadi's residence, but they were discovered and defused before the diplomat's departure.

The al-Qaeda-linked group also claimed to have killed 70 Shiite Houthi militants in suicide bombing in Yemen's central Al-Bayda' province.

Ansar al-Sharia said on Twitter on Saturday that a bomber had blown up his explosives-laden car at a Houthi gathering in Radaa city.

It, however, gave no further details when the attack took place.

In recent weeks, the Shiite Houthi group and al-Qaeda have fought for control of Yemen's central Ibb and Al-Bayda' provinces.

Yemen has recently appeared to teeter on the verge of civil war, as the Houthis seek to expand their control beyond capital Sanaa – where they assumed control in September – to other parts of the country.  

The growing Houthi influence has pitted the Shiite movement against al-Qaeda, which is said to remain active in politically fractious Yemen.

Recent fighting between the warring camps in the country's central and western regions has left dozens dead.