*** Masked gunmen kill 3 Yemeni soldiers in Aden | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Masked gunmen kill 3 Yemeni soldiers in Aden

Masked gunmen suspected of belonging to Al-Qaeda killed three Yemeni soldiers in Aden on Thursday in the latest attack to target security forces in the southern city, an official said. 

The soldiers were attacked as they walked down the main road in Inmaa district, the security official said, adding that the assailants managed to escape.

"They died instantly," he said. 

Al-Qaeda controls parts of the port city where the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi has set up base in its battle against Shiite Huthi rebels.

With support from a Saudi-led coalition, Hadi's forces have driven the rebels out of Aden and four other southern provinces since last July but the Shiite rebels remain in control of the capital Sanaa and much of the north.

Al-Qaeda and the rival jihadist Islamic State group have taken advantage of the conflict to gain ground in southern cities such as Aden.

They have claimed a string of attacks and assassinations in recent months.