Car bomb hits Yemen's defense ministry, 2 killed

Military and hospital officials in Yemen say a suicide bomber has detonated his explosives-laden car at the defense ministry, killing at least two people and wounding 20.

They said that the Thursday's bombing was followed by a firefight between troops and a carload of gunmen.

The defense ministry issued a brief statement confirming the attack. It said "most" of the gunmen have been killed, but did not say how many there were. It did not give any other details.

The officials said the blast badly damaged a hospital inside the complex and blew out windows and the doors of homes and offices in the immediate vicinity.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to journalists.