Al-Qaida militants seize military base

Al-Qaida militants seized control of an important army base Thursday following clashes with soldiers that left at least eight people dead, military officials said. A statement posted on the group’s Twitter account said the attack on the base followed speculation that Shiite rebels — who already control the capital, Sanaa, and several northern cities — were looking to establish their presence in southern Yemen as well. The rebels, known as Houthis, are sworn enemies of al-Qaida but also oppose the U.S. government.