ADEN: A wave of suicide bombings targeting Yemeni troops killed at least 19 people Monday in the southeastern city of Mukalla, an official said.

Three simultaneous bombings hit security checkpoints in the coastal city at sunset, just as troops fasting during Ramazan were breaking their fast, said the security official.

That was soon followed by a fourth bombing at the entrance of an army camp, he said, adding that in all “17 soldiers as well as a woman and child passing by were killed”.

The attacks were all carried out by suicide bombers, the source told AFP.

Mukalla, capital of the vast Hadramawt province, remained under Al-Qaeda control for one year before pro-government troops, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, drove the militants out in April.

The Pentagon revealed last month that a “very small number” of US military personnel had also been deployed around Mukalla in support of the operation, led by special Saudi and Emirati forces.

The US Navy has several ships nearby, including an amphibious assault vessel, the USS Boxer, and two destroyers.