Dozens of casualties are reported in a suicide bombing in the center of the Yemeni capital Sanaa.
Officials said a bomber dressed in military uniform targeted soldiers rehearsing for a parade to mark Yemen's national day.

Al Jazeera's Jane Ferguson, reporting live from Sanaa, said that the death toll was high.

"We are hearing reports that up to 50 people were killed and many more injured," Ferguson said.
"The death toll is likely to rise far above that though, since the attack was in middle of a huge group of soldiers."

Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi is scheduled to attend Tuesday's parade marking the 22nd anniversary of the unification of north and south Yemen.

Our correspondent said that this attack was a signal to the government and the military.
"If they were targeting high profile guests, like the president, at the parade, then they would have attacked tomorrow," she said.

"This was a message to the authorities that they are willing and able to strike at the heart of the military and that nobody here is safe."

PHOTO CAPTION

Yemeni soldiers man a checkpoint on the outskirts of Sanaa on May 16, 2012.

Al-Jazeera