Yemen Vows To Crush Al-Qaeda After Troop Massacre

Police inspect the site of a suicide bombing targeting a military parade in Sanaa on May 21.

Yemen's army chief has vowed no retreat in the government's offensive against Al-Qaeda in the wake of a suicide bomb attack that killed 96 soldiers in one of the deadliest single attacks in Yemen's conflict.

Speaking at a somber ceremony to mark the 22nd anniversary of Yemen’s reunification, one day after the attack in Sanaa, chief of staff Ali al-Ashwal warned Al-Qaeda that the war against it would continue unabated.

The bombing, which also injured some 300 soldiers, has drawn sharp condemnation from Western powers and a pledge by U.S. President Barack Obama to work with the Yemeni government to crush the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula group.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said those behind the attack must be brought to justice.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP