Yemeni Defense Ministry Attacked

Smoke rises from the Defense Ministry's compound after an attack, in Sanaa, Dec. 5, 2013.

A suicide bomber and group of gunmen have attacked Yemen's Defense Ministry compound in Sanaa, leaving at least 20 people dead.

Officials say the bomber struck first, followed by the gunmen who engaged in a firefight with security forces.

The Defense Ministry said in a statement that most of the gunmen had been killed and that the situation was under control.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Al-Qaida militants often attack Yemeni security forces. The Yemen branch of the terror outfit, known as al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, is considered one of the world's most active.