World News Today: Fatal blast at Yemen arms factory

Monday, March 28, 2011

Fatal blast at Yemen arms factory

A blast at an ammunition factory in southern Yemen has killed at least 50 people and wounded many, doctors say.

The explosion shook the southern Yemeni town of Jaar and could be heard up to 10 miles (15km) away.

Reports said the plant had recently been seized by militants who, on Sunday, clashed with government forces in the town.

Officials said they expected the death toll to rise as bodies were still being recovered from the scene of the blast.

Deteriorating security

The factory, in the Khanfar area, close to Jaar city, makes munitions and Kalashnikov rifles, AP reports. Ambulances have been bringing the injured to Jaar's al-Razi hospital.

There were reports on Sunday that Islamist militants had taken control of the city and the surrounding villages, in the southern Abyan province.

Economic and social problemsPoorest country in the Middle East with 40% of Yemenis living on less than $2 (£1.25) a dayMore than two-thirds of the population under the age of 24Illiteracy stands at over 50%, unemployment around 40%Dwindling oil reserves and falling oil revenues; little inward investmentAcute water shortageWeak central government

Yemen has been rocked by weeks of political turmoil and deteriorating security.

Unemployment in the country runs at around 40%, and there are rising food prices and acute levels of malnutrition.

The country has also been plagued by a range of security issues, including a separatist movement in the south and an uprising of Shia Houthi rebels in the north.

There are fears that Yemen is becoming a leading al-Qaeda haven, with the high numbers of unemployed youths seen as potential recruits for Islamist militant groups.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.