Yemen car bomb: Primary school children killed in attack on school bus

25 killed in attack, including at least 15 primary school students

Security officers outside the Yemeni parliament during a debate about the policies of the newly appointed government in Sanaa on 16 December 2014 (MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Two car bombs exploded south of the Yemeni capital Tuesday, hitting a school bus traveling near a Shiite rebel gathering, killing 25, including at least 15 primary school students, the rebel group said.

The Shiite rebels, known as the Houthis, blamed al-Qaida for the attack in the Radaa area of Baydah province, calling it "the ugliest crime against childhood." The group said the school bus was carrying female primary school students.

It was not clear if the other 10 killed in the attack were rebel fighters or civilians.

Local tribesmen said one of the cars targeted the home of a Shiite rebel leader, Abdullah Idris, who is also a member of the General People's Congress Party of ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh. They said one of the car bombs rammed into the house while another hit a checkpoint near the house — killing the rebels manning the checkpoint and also striking the passing school bus.

The tribesmen spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters.

This is the second time Idris's house has been targeted since October. The Houthis and al-Qaida have been fighting in Radaa since the rebels overran the area in October.

The empowered Shiite rebels have made significant military advances in recent months, seizing control of the capital and other strategic cities.

AP