Al-Qaeda gunmen take over military base in Yemen

Security officials say suspected al-Qaeda gunmen have overrun a key military base in Yemen’s largest province.

A colonel who works at the base in Hadramawt province but who was not there when it came under attack on Monday, on condition of anonymity, said militants have taken control of the compound after a short gun battle with soldiers.

Yemeni officials say the attackers shot dead security guards at the base but have not released an exact death toll.

They say the military has sent in reinforcements and troops are now surrounding the compound.