A powerful blast was heard today near the home of a Yemeni security official involved in a crackdown on suspected Islamic militants, residents said.
Police quickly cordoned off the quarter, which also houses the US embassy in the capital Sanaa. It is not known if there were any casualties or damage.
Local media reported last week that police had previously discovered an explosive device near the home of Mohammed Rizq al-Hamadani, who is involved in a Yemeni manhunt for suspected backers of Osama bin Laden, Washington's main suspect in the September 11th attacks on the United States.
The Arab state, which has a reputation as being a haven for Islamist militants, began the manhunt in December.