Aden — A suicide bombing claimed by the Daesh (the so-called IS) group hit UAE-trained Yemeni troops in the government bastion of Aden on Tuesday, killing five people and wounding more than a dozen.

The attack in the north of the port city hit an army mess hall serving the so-called Security Belt brigade, which is supported by government ally the UAE, a security source said.

At least five people were confirmed dead and 18 wounded, the source said, adding that they were most likely passers-by or staff working in the kitchen.

An AFP journalist saw at least five casualties being carried out of the charred building.

Several cars parked nearby were severely damaged.

Witnesses said the blast was caused by a car laden with explosives, apparently driven by a suicide bomber towards the kitchen in Al-Derain area in northern Aden.

It was the second attack of its kind targeting security forces in the city.

The witnesses said rescuers were trying to pull out four charred bodies from the destroyed kitchen. The force of the blast damaged stores and cars nearby.

On February 24, twin suicide bombings claimed by IS hit a base of an Aden counter-terrorism unit, killing five people, including a child.

In January, Aden was rocked by deadly clashes that saw southern separatists seize much of the city from other pro-government forces. — Agencies