40 al Qaeda militants escape Yemen jail: Officials

The militants attacked their guards and seized their arms early on Wednesday, just as bands of heavily armed militants attacked the prison in the city of Mukalla on the Arabian Sea.

At least 40 al Qaeda militants escaped from a jail in southern Yemen on Wednesday, said security officials.

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The militants attacked their guards and seized their arms early on Wednesday, just as bands of heavily armed militants attacked the prison in the city of Mukalla on the Arabian Sea.

According to officials, those who escaped included militants convicted on terror charges or held in protective custody pending their trial.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

Wednesday's escape was the latest sign that Yemen's upheaval has emboldened al Qaeda militants to challenge authorities in the country's nearly lawless south.