There are worrying signs that political chaos in Yemen is allowing the militant jihadi group Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsular to spread its influence in one of the most strategically vital corners of the Middle East.

Fighters loyal to Ansar al Sharia, an offshoot of Al Qaeda, have seized a swathe of territory in south east Yemen and have forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee to the southern port city of Aden - from where HARDtalk's Stephen Sackur has sent this special report.

This is an extended version of the broadcast item.

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