Suspected Al Qaeda militants seize Yemen military base

Dozens of suspected Al Qaeda militants Thursday seized a military base in Yemen's Shabwa province.

"A large number of suspected Al Qaeda militants attacked troops inside the 19th infantry brigade located in Bayhan area," a security official told Xinhua.

"They were well armed and forced the troops to abandon the base after a two-hour clash," he added.

Residents said the militants burnt armoured vehicles and looted all the weapons after they seized the base.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.