A Saudi Arabian diplomat and his bodyguard are shot dead in Yemen Wednesday.

The killing is the latest in a series of attacks on officials and politicians in the country.

Gunmen opened fire at the diplomat car.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EYE WITNESS, ABDULLA ALI, SAYING:

"We heard the sound of gunfire and we saw a car driving and losing control. We saw them being killed."

Restoring stability in Yemen is an international priority because of its strategic location next to Saudi Arabia.

Al Qaeda affiliated groups strengthened their grip on parts of the country during the uprising that ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh in February.