SANAA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were killed when an explosive device went off at a grocery in Yemen's southern province of Bayda, a security official said on Saturday.
The accident took place on Friday in Yakla area which is under government control.
The explosion killed four members of one family and four other neighbors.
The Islamic extremists from both rival groups of al-Qaida and local branch of Islamic State (IS) are vying to control the arid mountainous area.
According to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the blast was caused by an explosive device.
However, local media reported that the explosion was more likely caused by a suicide bomber from the IS targeting al-Qaida members inside the grocery.
Yakla has been an important area of intelligence information gathering by the Yemeni government and its ally the United State since 2011.
In January 2017, the U.S. navy launched a military operation against the al-Qaida in Yakla, killing dozens.
