Militants seize part of Yemen city

Islamic militants have seized parts of a southern city in Yemen in a surprise dawn attack, security officials said today.

The officials said the militants who attacked the city of Houta are believed to include members of al Qaida.

They are now in control of several neighbourhoods in the city, which is the provincial capital of Lahj province.

Islamic militants, taking advantage of the four-month political turmoil gripping Yemen, attacked and seized two other southern cities in late May.

Massive anti-regime protests have swept much of the country and rival forces are squaring up to each other in the capital, Sanaa, after days of fierce fighting earlier this month.