Suspected al-Qaida Attack Kills Yemeni Troops

Officials in Yemen say an attack by suspected al-Qaida gunmen has killed at least six Yemeni soldiers and wounded at least four others.

Officials say the attack took place Sunday in the central province of Marib.

The United States and several other Western nations have expressed concern that the current political unrest in Yemen might give al-Qaida militants who operate in the country an opportunity to stir up trouble in the region.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is a long-time U.S. ally in the battle against al-Qaida. He has faced weeks of mounting protests calling for his resignation.