DHAKA: At least 40 people in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on supporters of a Shia rebel group.

The blast struck as hundreds of people were arriving in Tahrir Square for a demonstration called by the Houthis, reports the BBC.

Later, a suicide bomb attack on an army checkpoint in the eastern province of Hadramawt left 20 soldiers dead.

The attacks come amid a deepening political crisis triggered by the rebels’ takeover of Sanaa last month.

The Houthis have rejected the president's candidate to lead the new government which is meant to be formed as part of a deal that brought an end to the deadly fighting between the Houthis and government forces.

BDST: 1732 HRS, OCT 09, 2014