At least six Yemeni soldiers have been killed after their helicopter was shot down by tribesmen while inspecting oil pipelines, according to reports from the country.
The soldiers and helicopter crew died after the aircraft was brought down during a reconnaissance flight in central Yemen.
Reports said the helicopter was engaging armed tribesmen when it was hit.
The impoverished Middle East country’s main oil pipeline has been regularly targeted and by tribesmen looking for profit or to force the government to release jailed friends and relatives.
It was most recently bombed on Saturday, just days after being reopened following a similar attack.
The attack comes as the USA began evacuations of its non-essential personnel from the country due to a high threat of attack by Al Qaeda.