Interior Minister Abdulqadir Qahtan said on Monday that most of the targeted killings which have taken place in recent times in Yemen appear to have been executed by Al-Qaeda.

“Assassinations have targeted Yemenis, including military and security members in the south and north, and I am saying this in response to those who say that such killings happen only in the south,” he said.

Qahtan’s remarks were made during his visit to the NDC’s Southern Issue Working Group, when he replied to questions from members about matters of security.

“The security services operate on a national basis and politics have nothing to do with their performance,” he said. “All reports that hardline groups are controlling the security services are untrue,” he said. “Such reports are merely illusions”.

He said that authorities had arrested the killers of three pilots in Lahj a day after last week’s attack.

“The killing of the officers was an act of terrorism. We were all shocked and feel sorry about that.”

He also said that security authorities were doing their best to boost security and arrest those involved in terrorist or other destabilizing acts.

Replying to a question about crackdowns on protesters, Qahtan said violations sometimes occur.

“We don’t deny that sometimes violations take place when responding to protests,” he said.  “The important thing is that we are trying to impose the rule of law, treat all people equally in accordance with the law, and avoid using force against the people.”