Sana'a airport closed after explosions rock air base

Sanaa's international airport was closed down on Sunday after four explosions rocked a nearby air force base, setting two Yemeni fighter jets on fire, aviation officials told AFP.

YEMEN - Four explosions rocked an air base in Sanaa on Sunday, setting two fighter jets on fire and prompting the closure of the Yemeni capital's international airport, aviation officials said.

"There were four explosions at the air force base alongside the international airport and two fighter jets went up in flames," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Sanaa international airport closed after the explosions, another aviation official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"The airport was closed right after the explosions... All flights have been re-routed to Aden," the south's main city, the official said.

Residents of the airport district area reported loud explosions and massive flames and plumes of smoke.

There were no immediate reports of casualties and no claims of responsibility for an attack.

Sanaa has been the scene of deadly clashes between troops loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and dissident soldiers and armed tribesmen who have thrown their support behind the protest movement that has rocked his regime since January.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have risked their lives in near daily protests that have been met with force by pro-Saleh troops.

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands more wounded since January.

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Date created : 30/10/2011

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