Yemen, August 5: A suspected suicide bomber has struck a village in the southern Yemeni province of Abyan, killing more than 45 people.

Dozens more were wounded in the attack on a funeral service in the city of Jaar, Yemeni officials said.

Local governor Jamal al-Aqal said in a statement that an investigation had been opened into the “criminal and cowardly” attack on the funeral service.

The Yemeni army carried out a major offensive against Islamist militants in Abyan earlier this year, taking control of the region in June with the help of civilian militias comprised of local tribesmen.

Separatist unrest and Al-Qaeda-linked militants such as Ansar al-Sharia have plagued the south for years.