Al-Qaida militants take over village in southeast Yemen

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgwonow.com)

ADEN, Yemen, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of fighters of the Yemen- based al-Qaida offshoot took control of a small village in the southeastern province of Hadramout, a provincial security official told Xinhua on Saturday.
"Scores of fighters from al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula ( AQAP) are preparing to declare the Ghayl Bawazir area near the port city of Mukalla, the provincial capital, as an emirate of their newest Islamic state," the local security official said on condition of anonymity, adding that "the al-Qaida fighters armed with assault rifles are stationed at several checkpoints throughout the area."

A local resident told Xinhua anonymously that "masked al-Qaida militants seized the Ghayl Bawazir area and said they were going to establish an Islamic caliphate. People were very scared."

The country's the interior ministry said in a brief statement posted on its web page "the terrorist presence of al-Qaida in Hadramout will suffer the same fate as that in Abyan."

In January 2009, al-Qaida affiliates in Saudi Arabia and Yemen officially merged and formed the al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.

The group, mainly entrenching itself in Yemen's southern provinces of Abyan and Shabwa, is on the terrorist list of the United States, which considers it as an increasing threat to its national security.

The AQAP underscores the challenges faced by Yemen's new President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi who won support from major Yemeni political forces, the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Hadi is tasked with restoring security and stability to Yemen and putting an end to growing influence of al-Qaida that threatens daily oil shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

from XINHUA
2013-05-25 17:45:42

Read More

Would-be suicide bomber killed in Yemen's Aden

ADEN, Yemen, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Troops of the Yemeni anti- terrorism forces foiled a terror attack and shot dead a would-be suicide bomber on Sunday morning in the southern port city of Aden, a government official told Xinhua.
The troops launched a storming campaign against an al-Qaida- held house in Aden's neighborhood of Mansoura, the local government official said on condition of anonymity.

"An al-Qaida terrorist cell planning to carry out terror attacks and suicide operations was discovered in a building in Aden," the source said, adding that "An al-Qaida suicide bomber was killed and an explosive-packed car was seized during the operation."

Experts of the anti-bomb disposal unit have arrived at the site and managed to defuse the car bomb, according to the official.

Yemeni security services have repeatedly blamed militants of the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot for a series of assassination attacks, mostly in the country's southern regions.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which emerged in January 2009, is considered the most strategic threat to the Yemeni government and its neighboring oil-rich Saudi Arabia.

The AQAP underscores the challenges faced by Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who came to power after winning support from major Yemeni political forces, the United States and Saudi Arabia in February 2012.

Hadi is tasked with restoring security and stability to Yemen and putting an end to growing influence of al-Qaida that also threatens daily oil shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

from XINHUA
2013-05-12 16:15:37

Read More

Al-Qaida gunmen assassinate military intelligence official in Yemen

ADEN, Yemen, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Masked gunmen of the Yemen- based al-Qaida offshoot shot dead a high-ranking military intelligence official in the southeastern province of Hadramout on Saturday, a government official told Xinhua.
About two masked gunmen riding a motorbike fired at Colonel Ahmed Abdul-Razzak, director of the military intelligence department in Hadramout province, the local government official said on condition of anonymity.

"Criminals of the al-Qaida terrorist group committed a criminal act and assassinated Col. Abdul-Razzak on a main road near his home in the coastal town of Mukalla," the government source said.

Yemeni security services have repeatedly blamed militants of the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot for a series of assassination attacks, mostly in the country's southern regions.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which emerged in January 2009, is considered the most strategic threat to the Yemeni government and its neighboring oil-rich Saudi Arabia.

The AQAP underscores the challenges faced by Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who came to power after winning support from major Yemeni political forces in February 2012.

Hadi is tasked with restoring security and stability to Yemen and putting an end to the growing influence of al-Qaida that also threatens daily oil shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

from XINHUA
Editor: Mu Xuequan
2013-04-28 00:41:20

Read More

2 soldiers killed in attack on army checkpoint in Yemen

ADEN, Yemen, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Three secessionists attacked an army checkpoint in Yemen's southern province of al-Dhalea on Tuesday, killing at least two soldiers, a police source and some local residents told Xinhua.

The pro-secession gunmen attacked a key checkpoint in a eastern suburb of al-Dhalea province and tried to take control of it, killing at least two soldiers at the scene, the source said on condition of anonymity.

Also, some local residents told Xinhua that the attackers, riding two motorbikes, threw two grenades toward the soldiers at the checkpoint and then fled.

Army reinforcements were later deployed around the military site, according to witnesses.

Last week, Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi started a national dialogue to end the country's prolonged political crisis.

The talks aimed to end separatist movement in the south in order to preserve unity, draft a new constitution and pave the way for the parliamentary and presidential elections set for February 2014.

However, leaders of the separatist Southern Movement refused to join the talks, insisting that the government troops should withdraw from the south.

from XINHUA
2013-03-27 08:27:05

Read More

Al-Qaida suspects kidnap military intelligence officer in southern Yemen

ADEN, Yemen, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Suspected al-Qaida militants abducted a military intelligence officer from his residential building in Yemen's southern province of Abyan on Sunday, a government official told Xinhua.
Four gunmen suspected of belonging to the al-Qaida terrorist group kidnapped Brig. Khaled Masood from his house located in the eastern suburbs of Mudiyah town in Abyan province, the local government official said on condition of anonymity.

"The al-Qaida suspects who were armed with assault rifles raided the officer's house and took him to unknown location," the government source said.

The source said that the military officer was kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination. Security authorities were working to track the kidnappers.

No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping so far.

Several security and intelligence officials were assassinated or kidnapped in recent months in southern regions, where the al- Qaida militants are active.

Combating al-Qaida militants in the restive south is one of the challenges confronting Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has promised to uproot the Yemeni branch of al-Qaida with the help of the United States and neighboring Saudi Arabia.

from XINHUA
2013-03-24 19:59:19

Read More

10 al-Qaida members captured in southern Yemen

ADEN, Yemen, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's pro-government militiamen raided a terrorist cell and captured 10 al-Qaida members on Sunday in Yemen's southern province of Abyan, a tribal chief told Xinhua.

The militiamen destroyed an al-Qaida terrorist cell that was operating in Abyan's Jaar town and planning armed attacks against army posts in the region, the local tribal chief said on condition of anonymity.

"Our tribal fighters stormed an al-Qaida-held site in Jaar town and seized 10 terrorists along with three improvised explosive devices," the tribal source said.

Two of the al-Qaida members were behind an armed attack that targeted a post run by pro-government militiamen last week, according to the tribal chief.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds they had controlled for nearly one year.

The Yemeni government has beefed up anti-terror operation since Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

from XINHUA2013-03-11 06:41:52

Read More

3 al-Qaida members escape from prison in southern Yemen

Map of Yemen showing Abyan governorate. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ADEN, Yemen, March 6 (Xinhua) -- At least three members of the Yemen-based al-Qaida branch escaped from an intelligence jail in the southern province of Abyan on Wednesday evening, a security official told Xinhua.

Three al-Qaida inmates escaped from the military intelligence jail in Mudiyah town in Abyan province, after a short shootout with guards at the prison, the local security official said on condition of anonymity.

"An armed squad of terrorists attacked security guards at the main gate of Mudiyah prison, sparking a short shootout in the area, " the security source said, adding that the three al-Qaida inmates staged the getaway amid the clashes.

A local intelligence source confirmed Wednesday's prison escape but declined to give more details.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds that they had been control of for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government has beefed up anti-terror operation since Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

from XINHUA
2013-03-07 02:06:50

Read More

Three al-Qaida members captured over suicide bombing in southern Yemen

ADEN, Yemen, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Pro-government militiamen captured Tuesday three members of the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot in southern Abyan province who were linked to a suicide bombing that killed 12 people, a tribal chief told Xinhua.

About three terrorists suspected of masterminding a suicide bombing that killed 12 pro-government militiamen in Abyan's town of Lauder were captured inside an al-Qaida-held house, the local tribal chief said on condition of anonymity.

"The captured men were accused of planning attacks against pro- government militiamen. Explosives along with grenades, automatic rifles and pistols were seized inside the house," the tribal source added.

On Monday, an al-Qaida suicide attacker slammed his explosives- packed vehicle into a post run by pro-government militiamen in Lauder town, killing 12 people and wounding 16 others.

The al-Qaida militants frequently use improvised explosive devices, roadside bombs and carry out suicide attacks against the security forces, pro-government militiamen and intelligence officials in southern regions.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds that they had controlled for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government has beefed up anti-terror operation since Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

from XINHUA
2013-03-06 01:14:42

Read More

Suicide car-bomb kills 12 in Yemen

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

ADEN, Yemen, March 4 (Xinhua) -- An explosive-laden car went off near a post run by pro-government militiamen in Yemen's southern province of Abyan on Monday evening, killing 12 people and wounding 16 others, a security official told Xinhua.

An al-Qaida suicide attacker slammed his explosives-packed vehicle into a post run by pro-government militiamen in Luader town in Abyan province, leaving at least 12 people killed and more than 16 others injured, the local security official said on condition of anonymity.

"Among the dead so far identified are two leaders of the anti- al-Qaida militiamen. Several people were also seriously injured in the car bombing," the security source said.

"The booby-trapped car approached the post used by the pro- government militiamen and exploded, causing a massive blast in the region," he added.

Local residents, meanwhile, said the blast took place near a military checkpoint manned by the pro-government militiamen and was followed by heavy gunfire.

A tribal chief said that about 12 members of the anti-al-Qaida militiamen were killed and 16 others injured in the bombing.

The car bomb attack was perpetrated by a suicide attacker of the al-Qaida terrorist group, according to local officials.

The al-Qaida militants use improvised explosive devices, roadside bombs and suicide attacks against the security forces, pro-government militiamen and intelligence officials in southern regions.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds that they had controlled for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government along with the United States and oil-rich Saudi Arabia have beefed up anti-terror operation since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

from XINHUA
013-03-05 00:16:39

Related articles

• Suicide car bomber hits Yemen militia, kills 12 (journalstar.com)
• Car bomb in Yemen kills at least 13 (en.trend.az)
• Suicide car bomber hits Yemen militia, kills 12 (thestate.com)

Read More

Clashes between police, separatists erupt in Yemen's Aden, 5 injured

ADEN, Yemen, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni police troops clashed with secessionist activists in the southern port city of Aden Saturday morning, leaving at least five people seriously injured, local security source and medics told Xinhua.

The police troops clashed with separatist activists who called for a general strike in Aden, injuring at least five people, a provincial security source said on condition of anonymity.

"Activists of the separatist movement launched a civil disobedience campaign against the government authorities in Aden. Shops, public offices and schools remain closed," the security source said.

"The clashes are still going on as police vehicles attempted to remove barricades and open closed streets and engaged in confrontations with secessionists in Aden's neighborhood of Mansoura," he added.

Meanwhile, local medics said that "a secessionist man was shot in the neck and seriously wounded."

A secessionist leader told Xinhua anonymously that "We called for an open-ended general strike in Aden and several southern regions until the regime pulls the army out of cities and releases our detainees."

Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi has called for separatist groups in the country's southern regions to take part in a planned reconciliation national dialogue to settle disputes and promised to compensate them.

Separatist sentiment escalated after northern troops overran southern regions following a four-month civil war in 1994. Southerners complain of being economically and politically marginalized and discriminated.

Hadi announced that the government will hold the national dialogue on March 18 to solve disputes among political factions and pave the way for amending the constitution and preparing for presidential elections in 2014.

from XINHUA
2013-02-23 19:12:48
Editor: Chen Zhi

Read More

Bomb attack injures three pro-government militiamen in southern Yemen

map byEvan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

ADEN, Yemen, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least three pro-government militiamen were wounded in a bomb explosion in Yemen's southern province of Abyan on Tuesday night, a security official told Xinhua Wednesday.
The bomb went off outside the pro-government militiamen headquarters in Jaar town in Abyan province, injuring at least three people at the scene, the local security official said on condition of anonymity.

"A huge blast took place near a building held by pro-government militiamen in Abyan. The building was partially damaged. However, it caused no loss of life and only three people were injured," the security source said.

Witnesses told Xinhua that the two-floor building in Jaar town "was hit by an explosive that seemed large" and "small damage" was caused.

The bomb attack was perpetrated by attackers of the al-Qaida terrorist group, according to local officials.

The al-Qaida militants frequently use improvised explosive devices, including roadside bombs, against the security forces, pro-government militiamen and intelligence officials in southern regions.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in the southern Abyan province months routed the militants out of the strongholds that they had controlled for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government along with the United states and oil-rich Saudi Arabia has beefed up anti-terror operation since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

from XINHUA
2013-02-13 16:09:59

Read More

Yemeni warplanes strike al-Qaida-held sites in south

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

ADEN, Yemen, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni warplanes carried out strikes against al-Qaida hideouts in the southern province of Abyan on Saturday, but no casualties were immediately reported, an army officer told Xinhua.

About two suspected al-Qaida-held positions and other checkpoints manned by terrorists in the mountainous areas of Maraksha in Abyan province were bombed with several rockets, the local army officer said on condition of anonymity.

"The military aircraft struck the al-Qaida-held sites in Maraksha region in Abyan with an effective operation," the army officer said.

"The two air strikes targeted a large group of al-Qaida terrorists who were preparing to establish training camps in Abyan 's mountainous areas," the army officer added.

However, the army officer did not mention the number of casualties amongst the al-Qaida members.

On Thursday, the pro-government militiamen backed by a unit of the armed forces clashed with al-Qaida militants in the mountainous region of Maraksha, leaving at least 14 people killed on both sides, the Defense Ministry said in a brief text message obtained by Xinhua.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in the southern Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds that they had controlled for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government along with the United states and oil-rich Saudi Arabia have beefed up anti-terror operation since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.


from XINHUA
2013-02-02 18:07:28

Read More

Yemen says search on for abducted Finns, Austrian

Yemeni soldiers man a checkpoint in Sanaa on Dec. 22, 2012 following the kidnapping of three foreigners. Gunmen suspected of links to Al-Qaeda kidnapped two Finns and one Austrian in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Dec. 21, security officials told AFP. (AFP)

Yemen said on Sunday its security forces were still searching for two Finns and an Austrian whose whereabouts remain unknown since they were kidnapped in Sanaa.

Security services are “carrying out vast search and investigation operations to locate the kidnapped” foreigners, abducted on Friday in Sanaa, official news agency Saba quoted Interior Minister Abdelqader Qahtan as saying as he received an envoy from Finland.

The minister assured the envoy that Yemeni forces will take all steps to ensure the safety of the hostages and secure their quick release.

A security official told AFP that the hostages, kidnapped by gunmen suspected of links to Al-Qaeda, were probably still in Sanaa.

Another official had said Friday that al-Qaeda had threatened to kidnap foreigners and to stage bank hold-ups if the authorities fail to release members of an imprisoned network.

The three hostages -- an Austrian man, a Finnish man and a Finnish woman – were abducted when they were preparing to travel to the southern port of Aden via second city of Taez.

The two men were learning Arabic in Sanaa, while the woman had arrived recently in Yemen.

Hundreds of people have been abducted in Yemen over the past 15 years, many of them by members of the country’s powerful tribes who use them as bargaining chips in disputes with the authorities.

Almost all of them have later been freed unharmed.

But Al-Qaeda is also held responsible for abductions in Yemen, including that of a Saudi diplomat, Abdallah al-Khalidi, who remains in the hands of the extremist network since his kidnapping on March 28 in Aden.

from AL ARABIYA
Last Updated: Sun Dec 23, 2012 17:48 pm (KSA) 14:48 pm (GMT)

Related articles

• Diplomat negotiates release of abducted Finns in Yemen (en.trend.az)
• Two Finns Abducted in Yemen, Finland's Foreign Ministry Says - Bloomberg (bloomberg.com)
• Kidnappings of foreigners on rise in Yemen (guardian.co.uk)
• Suspected al-Qaeda kidnap 3 foreigners (bigpondnews.com)

Read More

Al-Qaida commander captured by security forces in southern Yemen

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

ADEN, Yemen, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni security forces on Thursday detained a high-level commander of the Yemen-based al- Qaida wing in the southern province of Abyan, the state-run Saba news agency reported.

"A high-level al-Qaida commander in southern region, Sulman Hassan Murshid, has been captured in Abyan during an operation by security forces," the agency said in a brief text message obtained by Xinhua.

"Sulman was involved in several terrorist operations in Abyan," the statement said.

A military official told Xinhua anonymously that "the captured al-Qaida leader conducted roadside bombings against security forces and was responsible for moving explosive devices into the neighboring southern province of Aden."

"The security force detained several other al-Qaida suspects and seized weapons during the operation in Abyan," the military source said.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot has exploited Yemen's year- long unrest and controlled several southern cities for more than one year before they were driven out by a U.S.-backed army offensive.

In June, Yemen's military officials announced seizing al-Qaida' s last bastion in the country's troubled south following the military offensive. However, local military and anti-terrorism experts said the Yemeni al-Qaida branch remained a major threat to the impoverished Arab country.

from XINHUA
2012-11-30 01:51:38

Read More

3 Yemeni soldiers kidnapped in south region

ADEN, Yemen, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- A group of secessionist gunmen captured three government soldiers in Yemen's southern province of al-Dhalea on Friday evening, a security official told Xinhua.

The three government soldiers were kidnapped by masked gunmen suspected of belonging to an armed faction of the pro-secession Southern Movement near a military post in al-Dhalea province, the local security official said on condition of anonymity.

"The secessionist gunmen broke into the military site and seized the three soldiers as they were sleeping," the security source said.

The abduction was confirmed by an army officer of the 35th Armored Brigade in al-Dhalea. Sources of the pro-secessionist Southern Movement could not immediately be reached for comment.

North and South Yemen unified peacefully in 1990, but the relationship deteriorated in 1994. Calls for separation in the country's southern regions were renewed in 2007.

Southerners have complained of being marginalized, particularly since they lost the four-month civil war in 1994.

Pro-secession protests have multiplied in the south amid a worsening economic situation in Yemen and charges of discrimination in favor of northerners.

Concerns have increased since the conflicts in southern Yemen are creating an unstable state where al-Qaida could more freely operate to gain foothold.


from XINHUA
2012-11-24 08:18:07

Read More

Explosion at military camp kills 5 soldiers in Yemen's Aden

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- A remote-controlled bomb went off in a military camp in Yemen's southern port city of Aden on Monday morning, killing five soldiers and wounding two others, a security official told Xinhua.

The blast occurred inside a military camp located on the northern outskirts of Aden, leaving at least five soldiers killed and two others injured, the local security official said, requesting anonymity.

"It appeared that an improvised-explosive device exploded at the military engineers camp. Experts of the anti-bomb disposal unit have arrived at the bombing site," the security official said.

The wounded have been sent to the Basuhib military hospital for treatment, he said.

However, an army officer told Xinhua anonymously saying that " the explosion was most likely caused by an accident. It happened when soldiers were moving hand grenades and landmines at an ammunition store at the camp."

A large fire was seen at the military camp for several minutes after the huge explosion and ambulances have rushed to the scene as police troops shut access to the area, according to local residents.

Yemen has undergone a political transition after the stepping down of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh earlier this year under a peaceful transfer of power backed by the United Nations.

Restoring security in Yemen has become a priority after last year's unrest created security vacuum which was exploited by the insurgent al-Qaida wing to control swaths of remote land and expand activities to major cities.

from XINHUA
2012-10-22 15:44:52

Read More

U.S. drone strike bombs al-Qaida hideouts in Yemen's south, 8 killed

ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- A pair of missiles fired from a U.S. drone slammed into al-Qaida hideouts in Yemen's southern province of Abyan early Thursday, killing at least eight militants, a security official told Xinhua.

The unmanned U.S. aircraft fired missiles at two gatherings of al-Qaida militants on the northwestern outskirts of Jaar town, killing at least eight members of the terrorist group on the scene, the local security official said, requesting anonymity.

"American drone-fired missiles hit two targets of the al-Qaida militants in Jaar's suburbs. Initial reports say eight terrorists were killed. Several militants were wounded and died later," the security official said.

Some of the dead were believed to be foreign fighters, but the security sources did not know where they were from.

"The identities of the terrorists killed in the aerial attack were not immediately clear. Some of the dead were foreigners," the source said.

A military intelligence officer confirmed to Xinhua the air strike and casualties.

Local residents said huge blasts rocked the town's neighborhoods and military warplanes were flying in the area at the time of the attack.

Yemen's military launched a month-long army offensive earlier this year and forced al-Qaida militants to flee several of their bastions in the country's restive southern and eastern provinces which they captured during last year's political turmoil.

The resurgent Yemeni branch of al-Qaida, which has increased its attacks on both Western and government targets in the Arabian Peninsula state, vowed to carry out more suicide attacks to take revenge.

Fighting al-Qaida militants in the restive south is one of the several challenges confronting Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has promised to launch a national dialogue to settle disputes among all political factions and to uproot the Yemeni branch of al-Qaida with the help of the United States and neighboring Saudi Arabia.

from XINHUA
2012-10-18 15:08:02

Read More

Yemeni gov't forces abort terrorist operation in Aden

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni government forces managed Tuesday to abort a terrorist operation by al-Qaida militants in the southern port city of Aden, the Defense Ministry reported.

The bomb disposal unit backed by soldiers of the counter- terrorism forces defused a booby-trapped car that was parked inside a house used by al-Qaida militants in Aden's neighborhood of Mansoura, the country's defense ministry said in a brief text message obtained by Xinhua.

"A group of al-Qaida militants who were gathering inside the house fled the area early.The troops stormed the building and found an explosives-laden car," the statement said.

Yemen's military launched a month-long army offensive that forced the al-Qaida militants to flee several bastions in the country's restive southern and eastern provinces which they captured during last year's political turmoil.

The resurgent branch of al-Qaida which has increased its attacks on both Western and government targets in the Arabian Peninsula state vowed to carry out more suicide attacks to take revenge.

Fighting al-Qaida militants in restive south is one of several challenges confronting current President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has promised to launch a national dialogue to settle disputes between all political factions.

Also, he has sworn to uproot the Yemeni branch of al-Qaida with the help of the United States and neighboring Saudi Arabia.

from XINHUA
2012-10-16 16:51:47
Editor: Wang Yuanyuan

Read More

Al-Qaida beheads 3 Yemeni security agents linked to U.S. drone strikes

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

SANAA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's interior ministry said Tuesday that al-Qaida wing has beheaded three Yemeni men after accusing them of allegedly collaborating with Yemeni-U.S. joint intelligence unit that killed several al-Qaida members by drone strikes.

The unidentified headless bodies were found dumped earlier Tuesday in the streets of the oil producer Marib province, some 170 km northeast of the capital Sanaa.

According to the ministry, three recorded video tapes were found with the bodies, in which the men admitted of working as agents for the Yemeni-U.S. joint intelligence unit and planting a number of tracking devices linked to U.S. unmanned warplanes that had killed several al-Qaida members.

The Yemeni-based al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), known locally as Ansar al-Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law) has yet to issue a statement in its jihadi websites to comment on the incident.

Yemen has already undertaken a political transition leads by the U.S.-backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the stepping down of former leader Ali Abdullah Saleh earlier this year under a peaceful transfer of power backed by the United Nations.

Restoring security in Yemen has become an international priority after last year's unrest has created security vacuum which was exploited by the insurgent al-Qaida wing to control swaths of remote land and expand activities to major cities. The militants were drove by a U.S.-backed offensive in June.

On Saturday, the Yemeni defence ministry said it aborted an attempt by two al-Qaida suicide bombers from bombing their explosives-laden car near an air force base used by the U.S. Marines in the southern Yemeni province of Lahj.


from XINHUA
2012-10-09 19:41:48

Read More

U.S. citizen on al-Qaida wanted list arrested by Yemeni security forces

ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- An American who is believed to be linked to the al-Qaida group was arrested by the Yemeni security forces in the country's restive southeastern province of Shabwa on Monday, a police officer told Xinhua.

A patrol of the police forces detained the American who appeared on a wanted blacklist by the country's security authorities in downtown Ataq, the provincial capital of Shabwa, and transferred him with a military helicopter to the capital Sanaa, the police officer said on condition of anonymity.

The captured U.S. national was a Muslim and had three passports in his possession -- two American and one German, according to the officer.

"The U.S. citizen was arrested while having a meal in a hotel, but his entry into Shabwa province, was unclear and suspicious," the officer said.

The security authorities suspected the American might have links with terrorists in Shabwa, the ancestral homeland of the slain U.S.-Yemeni cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki, al-Qaida's most dangerous English-speaking propagandist in Yemen, the source added.

The Yemeni government troops have launched an intensive military campaign with the support of the United States and Yemen 's oil-rich neighbor Saudi Arabia to uproot the al-Qaida militants in the southern regions.

from XINHUA

Read More