Al-Qaeda in Yemen takes control of southern city
Yemeni security officials say al-Qaeda's branch in the country has taken control of a southern city after security forces surrendered. The officials say that al-Qaeda militants driving pickup trucks and flying black flags on Friday swept through the city of al-Houta, the capital of Lahj province. They took over the main security barracks, the governor's office, and the intelligence headquarters, which houses prisons with al-Qaeda detainees.
The officials say that security forces loyal to deposed president Ali Abdullah Saleh surrendered to the militants without resistance. Those who resisted at the governor's office were executed, the officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
