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Bus Bomb Attack Thwarted in Aden | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Yemeni security services foiled an attempt to carry out a terrorist attack using a bus laden with explosives. Aden police’s anti-terrorism unit succeeded in preventing the attack before it could take place on Friday.

An anti-terrorism unit belonging to Aden police thwarted the bus bombing in the Sheikh Othman district where the driver of the bus was arrested before he could detonate the bomb in the middle of the Al-Hashemi station for passengers. The press bureau for Aden police said that, according to security information, the anti-terrorism unit travelled to where the driver of the bus was and arrested him before he could carry out the terrorist attack.

In a statement, police said “Whilst the anti-terrorism unit besieged the bus, the bus driver tried to resist by using a firearm that he was in possession of. However, the anti-terrorism unit opened fire on his foot and he was injured. He then surrendered and immediately after that, bomb disposal experts defused the bombs. Had the bombs gone off, it would have been a real disaster amidst a residential neighbourhood where many people live”.

According to the driver’s initial confessions, he was instructed to park the bus in a crowded place and detonate the bombs on board on the first day of Eid in order to create chaos and panic amongst the population of the province of Aden, and this is the third successful operation to thwart attacks that Aden police have carried out in less than 24 hours.

Anti-terrorism police seized a vehicle loaded with dozens of sticky bombs that are used in assassinations in the main street in the district of Mualla, Aden, late on Thursday evening. The driver of the car, who was on his own, was taken away to be investigated.

Terrorist groups have been using sticky explosives in assassination operations that target security and military leaders before security forces in Aden were able to dismantle a large number of criminal gangs and arrest its members, including leaders who are wanted for crimes related to terrorism.