Gunmen kill head of security in Yemen's Aden

Security officials say gunmen on a motorcycle shot dead the head of security in Yemen's port city of Aden.

The officials say Col Abdelhakim al-Sanidi was killed today while driving on a busy street in al-Mansoura neighbourhood.

Last week, high-ranking police officials in Aden said hundreds of al-Qaida militants and Islamic extremists moved into the port city, exploiting a vacuum left by pro-government forces pushing north to fight Shiite rebels and their allies.

No group immediately claimed today's attack, but some officials say they suspect al-Qaida because hitting a moving target from a speeding motorcycle requires specialised training, and because the group has used motorcycles in previous assassinations.
 

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to brief reporters.