Iranian diplomat injured in Yemen attack

Soon after the shooting on Saturday, Yemeni soldiers stand guard in front of the Iranian ambassador’s residence in Sana’a. Photo: AP

An Iranian diplomat was wounded on Saturday when gunmen attacked his car in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, according to Yemeni media reports.

The assailants, traveling in a white car, fired upon the diplomat in southern Sana’a’s Shamila district, reported independent news website Barakish.Net, citing an unnamed security official.

The diplomat was taken to hospital in critical condition, according to the report. There was no immediate official comment.

There have been numerous attacks and threats against foreign interests in Yemen in the recent past.

Foreign nationals have been abducted on several occasions, often by tribesmen seeking ransom payments or trying to exert influence on the government to meet local demands.

Last month, a Japanese diplomat was stabbed in an attack in Sana’a.