The officials say the suicide bomber was on his way to attack an intelligence office in the city of Mansoura early Friday when the blast happened. The officials say the civilian probably had no idea about the bomber's plans.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations.
For nearly a year, al-Qaida and other militant groups in Yemen have launched bold attacks on the military, while taking advantage of the country's political turmoil to seize control of entire cities in the south.
