DHAKA: Attacks on several targets in Aden have killed 15 soldiers from the Arab coalition and its allies in Yemen.

The official WAM news agency of the United Arab Emirates said, according to Al Jazeera.

Explosions hit a hotel housing Yemeni officials and a Gulf military base in Aden, a government spokesman and residents said, in the biggest attack on the government since it retook the city from its Houthi foes in July.

Official news agency said of the dead, four were Emiratis and one was Saudi.

All government ministers and the prime minister were safe and unhurt, Yemeni officials said, adding that the Cabinet will imminently hold an emergency meeting on the attack.

Members of the Gulf coalition have been providing security at the luxury al-Qasr hotel, and the Yemeni government officials’ presence there makes it a highly symbolic target for the rebels.

Aside from forces loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, the Emirates has the most overt presence among coalition forces inside Yemen.

The UAE has some 4,000 troops on the ground, a senior Emirati commander said last month, and boasts military hardware including tanks, armored fighting vehicles and attack helicopters.

Witnesses said the hotel was on fire and that there are ambulances at the scene.

BDST: 1740 HRS, OCT 06, 2015
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** Blasts hit Aden hotel used by Yemeni PM