EU condemns 'terrible' attack in Yemen

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union condemned a "brutal and terrible" attack claimed by Al-Qaeda in Yemen on Monday that saw a soldier blow himself up in the middle of an army battalion, killing 96 troops.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement that she "expresses her total condemnation of today's terrible and brutal attack on Yemeni soldiers, who were rehearsing for the national day parade."

The 27-nation bloc "is deeply concerned by all attempts to derail Yemen's transition," Ashton said in a statement.

She added that the EU was "fully committed" to assist President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi in "exploring all available options to ensure compliance from any individuals who persist in undermining or opposing the political transition in Yemen."

President Hadi said after a soldier detonated explosives under his uniform that "the war on terror will continue until it is completely destroyed regardless of the sacrifices."

Earlier on Monday, the EU unblocked an extra five million euros ($6.4 million) for Yemen to help fight mounting malnutrition in what it said was a "desperate" food crisis affecting almost half of the population.

"The crisis in Yemen has gone from bad to desperate," said Kristalina Georgieva, European commissioner for humanitarian aid.

She said with 44 percent of the people surviving on meagre food rations, the EU executive was increasing its aid "not just because we must prevent malnutrition from rising further but also because hunger and suffering can only destabilise the fragile ongoing transition."

"Yemeni people desperately need international support to rebuild their lives," she said in a statement. "Ignoring this would bear tremendous risks for the region and the world."

The Commission has already mobilised 20 million euros in humanitarian aid for Yemen this year, and the new funds will increase and improve access to clean water, support feeding programmes, develop cash-for-work schemes and provide cash grants for 200,000 people.

Yemen is the poorest country in the Arab Peninsula, with more than 40 percent of people living below the poverty line.