President Ali Abdullah Saleh has warned of Somalia-like “chaos” in Yemen if he steps down without an agreed successor as Washington said on Sunday his fall could endanger its fight against Al-Qaeda.
Highlighting the multiple challenges facing any ruler of Yemen, suspected Al-Qaeda militants seized control of Jaar, a town in the restive southern province of Abyan, security officials told AFP.
The battle for control left at least one soldier dead and a militant seriously wounded, an official said.
“Jaar and surrounding villages have fallen into the hands of Al-Qaeda,” he said on condition of anonymity. The militants seized control of public buildings, including a local radio station and a barracks.
