Yemeni high-ranking officials wounded in attack by al-Qaida militants

ADEN, Yemen, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- A high-ranking army official and a member of Yemen's consultative council were wounded Thursday when suspected al-Qaida militants attacked their vehicle in the northern province of Dhamar, a tribal chief told Xinhua.

Suspected al-Qaida militants opened heavy fire at the vehicle carrying the consultative council member Mohammed al-Haithami Ashal along with an army colonel, the tribal chief told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

"Heavy and random shootings hit Ashal's car while he was heading towards the capital Sanaa, injuring him in his leg," he said, adding that "the army colonel was wounded in his head."

The colonel was in a critical condition, according to the tribal chief.

The terrorist group carried out several retaliatory attacks against Ashal's tribe, which was engaged in the fighting alongside with the army forces against al-Qaida militants in the southern province of Abyan.

Hundreds of militants from the al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula captured Zinjibar, the provincial city of Abyan and at least three other towns late in May. The government forces backed by local tribes have been engaging in heavy clashes with the terrorist group since then, and reseized Zinjibar in September.