Gunmen have killed a diplomat from Saudi Arabia in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a.

Yemeni security officials and diplomatic sources say attackers wearing security force uniforms shot at the Saudi diplomat's car Wednesday, killing him and his bodyguard.

Yemen has suffered several security problems. Al-Qaida-linked militants have carried out suicide bombings and other attacks targeting officials, and Yemen's south was an al-Qaida stronghold until the army launched an offensive earlier this year to take back areas seized by militants.

Saudi Arabia also has been fighting al-Qaida militants who have attacked Saudi interests from bases in Yemen,

Saudi authorities have arrested a number of suspects – Saudi and Yemeni nationals – in recent months.