Yemen’s Leader Praises U.S. Drone Strikes

 

New York Times, By SCOTT Shane,29/09/2012

 

WASHINGTON — The president of Yemen gave an unqualified endorsement of American drone strikes in his country during a visit here on Friday, cementing his status as a favored counterterrorism partner of the United States.

President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, elected in a one-candidate election in February, said at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars that the precision afforded by drones gave them a marked advantage over the aging Soviet aircraft in the Yemeni Air Force.

 

“They pinpoint the target and have zero margin of error, if you know what target you’re aiming at,” said Mr. Hadi, a former army officer and the successor to Ali Abdullah Saleh, who stepped down after protests against his three-decade rule.

 

The United States “helped with their drones because the Yemeni Air Force cannot carry out missions at night,” he said. “The electronic brain’s precision is unmatched by the human brain.”

 

Mr. Hadi expressed no concerns about any reaction against drone strikes, which critics and some government officials have said can fuel anti-American sentiment and feed militancy.

 

Though Mr. Saleh permitted counterterrorism strikes by American drones, cruise missiles and jets beginning in 2009, American officials have found Mr. Hadi a more reliable partner than his capricious predecessor. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the terrorist network’s affiliate in Yemen, has mounted several plots against the United States.

 

On Tuesday, President Obama underscored America’s gratitude to Mr. Hadi by dropping by as the Yemeni president met in New York with John O. Brennan, Mr. Obama’s counterterrorism adviser. While Mr. Obama spoke briefly with several heads of state at a reception during the United Nations General Assembly meeting, Mr. Hadi was the only one singled out for a meeting.

 

Mr. Obama thanked Mr. Hadi for protecting the American Embassy and diplomats in Sana, the Yemeni capital, during the recent wave of protests against a crude American video insulting the Prophet Muhammad.

 

American military strikes in Yemen against those suspected of terrorism began in December 2009 and were suspended for months after May 2010, in part because of concern about civilian casualties and the killing of a deputy provincial governor. The C.I.A. and the United States military later resumed strikes using missiles fired from drone aircraft, including the strike in 2011 that killed the American-born militant cleric Anwar al-Awlaki and another American.

 

By the count of The Long War Journal, a Web site that tracks counterterrorism operations, there have been 33 American strikes in Yemen this year, compared with 10 last year.

 

The attacks increased as Al Qaeda and its allies seized parts of two provinces, Abyan and Shabwa, amid the chaos related to a power struggle in Sana. Yemeni forces, which Mr. Hadi said were led by paramilitary groups, later ousted Qaeda fighters from several towns.

 

“Now they are scattered all over,” Mr. Hadi said of the Qaeda supporters. “But they will never regain the force they once had.”

 

Mr. Hadi said the deep poverty of Yemen, which is running out of oil and water, “is nurturing Al Qaeda.” He said the $1.5 billion pledged by international donors on Thursday would help Yemen avoid civil war, which he said would be “catastrophic” for the region and the world.

 

 

Enough broken promises to help Yemen

By Nasser Arrabyee,28/09/2012

A total of 7 billion US dollars was the amount of money that was pledged by donors and friends of Yemen at the end of a meeting in New York Thursday September 27th, 2012. Yemen needs actions not words, needs money ready for spending not pledges and broken promises.

Friends of Yemen, friends in need? Yemen needs urgent assistance from friends and donors. It can not wait any more for long run plans.

Yemeni  President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi is  now visiting western countries to mobilize support for his country.

 On Monday, September 24, 2012, Hadi started his trip by visiting London where he met the British prime minister and other senior  officials. On September 27th, 2012, Hadi will open a conference in New York, called the Friends of Yemen Meeting, in which 52 countries and organizations are participating.

Earlier this month, donors of Yemen, met in the Saudi capital Riyadh where they pledged to give 6.4 billion US dollars  to the poverty-and-war-stricken country.

Saudi Arabia alone  pledged to to give 3.25 billion US dollars. However, Yemen needs at least 12 billion US dollars to help it stand again and fix economic and political problems that resulted from the crisis of 2011.

  And even if the New York conference of  Friends of Yemen comes out with more pledges to be 12 billion, the  question will be when and how this money will be paid.

Yemen can not wait six more years.  Almost the same friends and donors of Yemen met in London in 2006 and pledged to give about 5 billion US dollars to help Yemen do reforms and  overcome its economic and political problems.

Donors and friends of Yemen have paid nothing to the failing country  since 2006.   They always ask for infra-structure  conditions that can not be met by Yemenis.

 If the donors and friends of Yemen keep asking Yemen hard questions on how they ( Yemenis) would spend the money, then nothing would happen, problems of Yemen would only worsen. The Yemenis  can not do even plans, they do not have good institutions, they still struggle and look forward  for good governance, transparency, accountability, etc. 

If the donors wait until Yemen becomes like a western country for absorbing the money, then, they would wait for ever.  Yemen can not become institutionalized country over night, it can not get out from its economic and political problems  without help of friends. Some observers, however, say Yemenis themselves should say what they want and how they want to do it, otherwise, the donors can not help them.

  "Yemenis should tell donors what they want and how to do it," said the political analyst, Adel Abdu from Sanna university.

The donors do not have the same thinking on helping Yemen. Saudi Arabia, the biggest donor and main sponsor of the transition deal, is different from United States,the main backer of the transition deal.

Fighting  Al Qaeda  for instance, seems to be the common for both of them, but fighting Al Qaeda for Saudi Arabia does not mean the same meant by US. The visit of President Hadi to the west comes only one month and a half before the most important event in the transitional period.

That is the comprehensive  national dialogue which is supposed to start on November 15, 2012. The dialogue, if successful, should come out with an agreement on a new constitution whereby a presidential elections should be held on February 2014. Earlier in the week,  President Hadi said that his trip to western countries would focus on averting  Yemen a civil war and partition. The western trip of President Hadi would include  UK,  US, Germany, France, and Belgium. 

"My trip will focus on how to avoid a civil war and divisions and take Yemen to the safe aide," Hadi told reporters at Sanaa airport. 

Hadi is supposed to meet the officials of these countries with the aim of enhancing the political settlement in his country.    President Hadi is scheduled to meet President Obama in the sideline of the meeting of the UN  General Assembly in New York.

The former Preaident Ali Abdullah Saleh was supposed to visit US almost on the same time for further treatment.   But his visa application was turned down just one week before Hadi's visit.  According to sources,   Saleh decided not to   leave Yemen any more for any reason.

  Earlier in the week,the US ambassador to Yemen Gerald Feierstien said that the American embassy delayed a visa request for Saleh and a number of his companions.

Mr Feierstein said in a press conference earlier this week in Sanaa, that the time was not appropriate for Saleh to visit US for further treatments. The Saleh 's office said ,however,  that Feierstein justified the delay of Saleh's visa by saying the time of the visit would coincide with the trial of the Yemeni Guantanamo detainee Abdul Rahim Al Nashiri who is accused of bombing the USS Cole in Aden Harbor in 2000 in which 19 American sailors were killed.


The American court may recall Saleh for testimony over the Cole issue, Feierstein justified according to the paper. Saleh's testimony would cause embarrassment to the US Administration, the office said.

  Earlier this year, the American court  asked Saleh, when he was in a treatment trip in US, and was still in power, to attend for testimony over the Cole issue, but he refused.

Saleh's office also said that Saleh had never asked for the visa, but Mr Feierstein and President Hadi insisted on him to go to United States for further treatments.

Respecting that insistence for his health, Saleh handed his passport and passports of his companions for visa process. 

Aid agencies call 'Friends of Yemen' to rescue Yemenis from hunger

 

Release,26/09/2012

 

Hunger  crisis  threatens  to derail Yemen’s development and stability, aid agencies warn.

 

Humanitarian response still severely under-funded despite billions promised.

  

The  hunger  crisis  in  Yemen,  which  affects almost one out of every two Yemeni  citizens,  and  is  putting  nearly one million children at risk of severe  malnutrition,  must  be  addressed  immediately  to put the fragile country  on the path to a better future, eight international and Yemeni aid agencies  said  today.

 

 The call for more targeted emergency funding came as foreign ministers from the US, UK, Saudi Arabia and other countries are set to meet with the Yemeni government at the Friends of Yemen donor conference in New York.

 

The  aid agencies – Oxfam, Mercy Corps, Islamic Relief, CARE International, Merlin,  International  Medical  Corps,  Yemen Relief and Development Forum (YRDF)  and  the Humanitarian Forum – said that despite generous pledges of $6.4bn  made at a conference in Riyadh, the humanitarian response was still dangerously under-funded with the majority of pledged funds being allocated

to  infrastructure  and macro-economic stability.

 

 This year’s UN appeal for $585  million  for  Yemen’s emergency needs is still less than half-funded.

 

This  shortfall  could be closed with a fraction – just over 4 percent - of the  funds  promised  in  Riyadh.  

 

There  is no reason for an under-funded humanitarian response, say the agencies.

 

Recent  surveys have uncovered high malnutrition rates in Lahj in the south and Hajjah in the north, and agencies are now responding to needs in Abyan, which  until  recently  was  a  no-go  area wracked by fighting between the Yemeni  government  and  insurgents.

 

 

 The  aid  agencies said that although longer-term  funding  was  essential,  it  would  not  help  Yemen  achieve development  and  stability unless matched with immediate funding to tackle the worsening humanitarian crisis.

 

Colette Fearon, Country Director of Oxfam in Yemen, said: “With  each passing day, the crisis gets tougher. Children’s futures are at risk  with  some  of  the highest rates of child malnutrition in the world.

 

Women  tell  Oxfam  that  their  lives  have  got  worse  since last year's political  upheaval.  

 

 

They  can’t  afford  food  or  find work. Parents are pulling  children  out of school to beg, marrying their daughters early and selling  what  little they have just to get food today.

 

 

They know this will make  life  harder  in  the  future, but have little choice.  People cannot survive  on  promises,  however  generous.

 

 It would take a fraction of the money already promised to fully fund the UN appeal.”

 

The  aid agencies urged donors not to repeat the mistakes of the past where funds were pledged to Yemen, but did not materialize.

 

 

 In 2006, five billion dollars  was  promised to Yemen, but in early 2010 less than 10 percent had been   disbursed.

 

 

  They  called  on  the  Friends  of  Yemen  to  ensure  a comprehensive  strategy  and accountable and transparent plan detailing how the  money  would be spent and by when, with clear indicators that national and  international  civil  society could monitor.

 

 

 They said this would help ensure  that  humanitarian  funding  was  quickly followed by investment to tackle the root causes of Yemen’s hunger crisis.

 

 

Mohammed Qazilbash, Mercy Corps Yemen Country Director said “The humanitarian crisis is staggering and Yemen needs immediate assistance to help the millions of Yemenis who are hungry right now.

 

 As world leaders gather  to  discuss  Yemen’s future, we urge them not only to meet pressing needs on the ground, but to ensure that there is a plan in place to address

the  root causes of the crisis.

 

 

Unemployment and high food prices mean that people  cannot  afford  food  today. By  investing  in the private sector, supporting  market development, job training and youth employment programs, donors can give Yemenis a better future and break the cycle of hunger.”

 

The UN is expected to request another £92 million to address needs in Abyan

in  the  coming  months.  

 

The agencies said this could be covered with just over one percent of the 6.4bn pledged.

 

“Malnutrition  rates  in Hodeidah have exceeded the emergency threshold by 100  percent,  so  Islamic  Relief  is  launching  a  health, nutrition and livelihood  programme  there, it’s aim is to save life” said Islamic Relief Country  Director Hashem Awnallah, adding that the agency is also targeting

Abyan  and  Lahj, but “more resources are needed to keep current operations in place and reach out further.”

 

The  call  of  the  international  aid  agencies is echoed by Yemeni civil society.

 

  In  a  recent  civil society conference in Riyadh, over 100 civil society  representatives  from  across  Yemen  agreed that the humanitarian crisis  should  be  a key priority for funding.

 

The Yemeni diaspora is also campaigning  for recognition of the hunger crisis through its Hungry4Change campaign.

Friends of Yemen, friends in need?

 

By Nasser Arrabyee,25/09/2012

 

Yemen needs urgent assistance from friends and donors. It can not wait any more for long run plans. 

 

Yemeni  President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi is  now visiting western countries to mobilize support for his country. On Monday, September 24, 2012, Hadi started his trip by visiting London where he met the British prime minister and other senior  officials.

 

On September 27th, 2012, Hadi will open a conference in New York, called the Friends of Yemen Meeting, in which 52 countries and organizations are participating. 

 

Earlier this month, donors of Yemen, met in the Saudi capital Riyadh where they pledged to give 6.4 billion US dollars  to the poverty-and-war-stricken country. Saudi Arabia alone  pledged to to give 3.25 billion US dollars.

 

However, Yemen needs at least 12 billion US dollars to help it stand again and fix economic and political problems that resulted from the crisis of 2011. 

 

And even if the New York conference of  Friends of Yemen comes out with more pledges to be 12 billion, the  question will be when and how this money will be paid. Yemen can not wait six more years. 

 

Almost the same friends and donors of Yemen met in London in 2006 and pledged to give about 5 billion US dollars to help Yemen do reforms and  overcome its economic and political problems. 

 

Donors and friends of Yemen have paid nothing to the failing country  since 2006.   They always ask for infra-structure  conditions that can not be met by Yemenis. 

 

 If the donors and friends of Yemen keep asking Yemen hard questions on how they ( Yemenis) would spend the money, then nothing would happen, problems of Yemen would only worsen. The Yemenis  can not do even plans, they do not have good institutions, they still struggle and look forward  for good governance, transparency, accountability, etc. 

 

If the donors wait until Yemen becomes like a western country for absorbing the money, then, they would wait for ever.  Yemen can not become institutionalized country over night, it can not get out from its economic and political problems  without help of friends.

 

Some observers, however, say Yemenis themselves should say what they want and how they want to do it, otherwise, the donors can not help them. 

 

"Yemenis should tell donors what they want and how to do it," said the political analyst, Adel Abdu from Sanna university. 

 

The donors do not have the same thinking on helping Yemen. Saudi Arabia, the biggest donor and main sponsor of the transition deal, is different from United States,the main backer of the transition deal. Fighting  Al Qaeda  for instance, seems to be the common for both of them, but fighting Al Qaeda for Saudi Arabia does not mean the same meant by US.

 

The visit of President Hadi to the west comes only one month and a half before the most important event in the transitional period. That is the comprehensive  national dialogue which is supposed to start on November 15, 2012. The dialogue, if successful, should come out with an agreement on a new constitution whereby a presidential elections should be held on February 2014.

 

Earlier in the week,  President Hadi said that his trip to western countries would focus on averting  Yemen a civil war and partition.

 

The western trip of President Hadi would include  UK,  US, Germany, France, and Belgium. 

 

"My trip will focus on how to avoid a civil war and divisions and take Yemen to the safe aide," Hadi told reporters at Sanaa airport. 

 

Hadi is supposed to meet the officials of these countries with the aim of enhancing the political settlement in his country. 

 

President Hadi is scheduled to meet President Obama in the sideline of the meeting of the UN  General Assembly in New York. 

 

The former Preaident Ali Abdullah Saleh was supposed to visit US almost on the same time for further treatment.   But his visa application was turned down just one week before Hadi's visit. 

 

According to sources,   Saleh decided not to   leave Yemen any more for any reason. 

 

Earlier in the week,the US ambassador to Yemen Gerald Feierstien said that the American embassy delayed a visa request for Saleh and a number of his companions. Mr Feierstein said in a press conference earlier this week in Sanaa, that the time was not appropriate for Saleh to visit US for further treatments.

 

The Saleh 's office said ,however,  that Feierstein justified the delay of Saleh's visa by saying the time of the visit would coincide with the trial of the Yemeni Guantanamo detainee Abdul Rahim Al Nashiri who is accused of bombing the USS Cole in Aden Harbor in 2000 in which 19 American sailors were killed. The American court may recall Saleh for testimony over the Cole issue, Feierstein justified according to the paper.

 

Saleh's testimony would cause embarrassment to the US Administration, the office said. 

 

Earlier this year, the American court  asked Saleh, when he was in a treatment trip in US, and was still in power, to attend for testimony over the Cole issue, but he refused. 

 

Saleh's office also said that Saleh had never asked for the visa, but Mr Feierstein and President Hadi insisted on him to go to United States for further treatments. Respecting that insistence for his health, Saleh handed his passport and passports of his companions for visa process. 

 

 

President Hadi starts visit to west for mobilizing more support

 

By Nasser Arrabyee,23/09/2012

 

The Yemeni President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi said that his trip to western countries would focus on protecting Yemen from a civil war and partition.

 

Early Sunday, President Hadi left Sanaa for UK within a western trip that includes also US, Germany and France.

 

"My trip will focus on how to avoid a civil war and divisions and take Yemen to the safe aide," Hadi told reporters at Sanaa airport. 

 

Hadi is supposed to meet the officials of these countries with the aim of enhancing the political settlement.

 

On September 27th, 2012, Hadi will open a conference in New York, called the Friends of Yemen Meeting, in which 52 countries and organizations are participating. 

 

President Hadi is scheduled to meet President Obama in the sideline of the meeting of the UN  General Assembly in New York.

 

Saleh would not leave Yemen for any reason, paper says

By Nasser Arrabyee,21/09/2012


The Yemeni former President Ali Abdullah Saleh would not leave Yemen now, nor in the future, said sources in his office on Friday.


"The former President Ali Abdullah Saleh has not any desire to leave his homeland for any reason whatsoever," said Yemen Today daily, quoted the sources as saying. Yemen Today is one of Saleh's party newspapers.


"Yemen needs Saleh in such circumstances, so he should not leave now nor in the future," the paper said.


Earlier in the week,the US ambassador to Yemen Gerald Feierstien said that the American embassy delayed a visa request for Saleh and a number of his companions. Mr Feierstein said in a press conference earlier this week in Sanaa, that the time was not appropriate for Saleh to visit US for further treatments.


The Saleh 's office told the paper,however, that Feierstein justified the delay of Saleh's visa by saying the time of the visit would coincide with the trial of the Yemeni Guantanamo detainee Abdul Rahim Al Nashiri who is accused of bombing the USS Cole in Aden Harbor in 2000 in which 19 American sailors were killed. The American court may recall Saleh for testimony over the Cole issue, Feierstein justified according to the paper.


Saleh's testimony would cause embarrassment to the US Administration, the paper said.


Earlier this year, the American court asked Saleh, when he was in a treatment trip in US, and wax still in power, to attend for testimony over the Cole issue, but he refused.


Saleh's office also said that Saleh had never asked for the visa, but Mr Feierstein and President Hadi insisted on him to go to United States for further treatments. Respecting that insistence for his health, Saleh handed his passport and passports of his companions for visa process.

 

Saleh has the right to participate in politics, says US ambassador to Yemen

Ambassador Statement, 19/09/2012

The US ambassador in Yemen Gerlad Feierstien said the Yemeni former President Ali Abdullah Saleh  has the right to keep in politics. In a press conference held late Wednesday in Sanaa Mr Feierstien said that the GCC initiative  did not stipulate that Saleh has to give up politics.

Earlier,  the  ‪US ambassodor to Yemen GERALD M. FEIERSTEIN said that the Marines forces are temporary.

In a statement issued by the embassy on Tuesday Feierstein said " On behalf of our staff and diplomats at the U.S. Embassy, I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Yemeni people for their outpouring of support and widespread rejection of the violence  directed against the U.S. embassy in Sana’a on September 13.

Following close consultations between U.S. and Yemeni authorities, a small number of additional security personnel will temporarily assist with security and cleanup efforts at the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a.  Their mission is strictly limited to assisting at our diplomatic facilities and protecting U.S. diplomatic personnel from violence.  The temporary assignment of additional personnel to assist U.S. Missions facing security challenges is normal.  The group is assigned on a short-term basis in close consultation with the host government and operates in accordance with international law.  The decision to utilize this small group was made after close consultations and coordination between U.S. and Yemeni authorities.

We not only remain steadfast in our commitment to assisting the Yemeni people, but also to the enduring friendship that has developed between our two countries and our two peoples. Together, we will continue to build on the foundation laid by those who have sacrificed so much for a peaceful political transition and a more secure, democratic, and prosperous Yemen in the future.  

We remain steadfast to help Yemen, says US ambassador to Yemen

Ambassador Statement, 18/09/2012

The ‪US ambassodor to Yemen GERALD M. FEIERSTEIN said that the Marines forces are temporary.

In a statement issued by the embassy on Tuesday Feierstein said " On behalf of our staff and diplomats at the U.S. Embassy, I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Yemeni people for their outpouring of support and widespread rejection of the violence  directed against the U.S. embassy in Sana’a on September 13.  
 
Following close consultations between U.S. and Yemeni authorities, a small number of additional security personnel will temporarily assist with security and cleanup efforts at the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a.  Their mission is strictly limited to assisting at our diplomatic facilities and protecting U.S. diplomatic personnel from violence.  The temporary assignment of additional personnel to assist U.S. Missions facing security challenges is normal.  The group is assigned on a short-term basis in close consultation with the host government and operates in accordance with international law.  The decision to utilize this small group was made after close consultations and coordination between U.S. and Yemeni authorities. 
 
We not only remain steadfast in our commitment to assisting the Yemeni people, but also to the enduring friendship that has developed between our two countries and our two peoples. Together, we will continue to build on the foundation laid by those who have sacrificed so much for a peaceful political transition and a more secure, democratic, and prosperous Yemen in the future.   
 

Al Qaeda benefits from American marines in Yemen

By Nasser Arrabyee, 17/09/2012

Yemeni politicians said  that the capital Sanaa would fall in the hand of Al Qaeda terrorists after a unity of American marines  forces arrived in  the city to protect the US embassy that was attacked and destroyed by extremists angry over an American film abusive to Islam.

The member of Parliament Nabil Basha said," The American marines forces will only hurt the feelings of the Yemenis, and give more sympathy to Al Qaeda that may take control over Sanaa and turn it an arena of armed conflict."  MP Basha is from Saleh's party.

The Member of Parliament Mansour Al Zandani called for a boycott of the American goods. Al Zandani is from the Islamist party, Islah.
The independent MP Ali Abdu Rabu Al Qadi called upon President Hadi to deport the marines immediately and tell US to stop the drone attacks. 

  The Yemeni government said Sunday  that the American Marines forces are exceptional case to protect the US embassy, after  majority of Yemenis expressed their condemnation and refuasl for any Amreican forces in Yemen. 

Majority of Yemenis  on Facebook and twitter said allowing  American forces in Yemen would only increase Al Qaeda terrorists. Very few of Yemenis who said the marines came only to protect the embassy after the government failed completely to protect it from extremists and demagogic forces.

" We would not accept any foreign forces, but the unit in the US embassy is an exceptional case," said the government in a short statement in its media late Sunday. The marines would leave the country as soon as security situation improves, the government statement said. 

The Yemeni government said 50 marines soldiers and 20 armored vehicles and not 200 as the media reported. 

Al Qaeda and Al Houthi groups and many other extremist groups and individuals, exploited the  public outrage from film and marines  to promote their hostile  views on America and the West  in general.

 Al Qaeda in Radaa, for instance, on Sunday, September 16, 2012, took to the streets of the  town carrying their guns and raising their flags without any fear from authorities. 

The security forces did not do anything to them according to local residents. Even more,  Al Qaeda kidnapped a vehicle from the security forces and took it to their stronghold in Al Mesnah. 

The local resident also said that Al Qaeda exploited also the anger of the local people after the mistake of the US drone earlier this month that killed 11 civilians when it missed Al Qaeda car.

  Al Houthi Shiite  group was also  emboldened to  promoted thier slogan ( deat to America, death to Israel, curse to Jews) by putting more posters than ever before in the capital Sanaa especially after the marines arrived in the city. 

A total of 200 armored vehicles of the American marines arrived to the Yemeni capital Sanaa according to the weekly independent newspaper Al Ola. And  250 soldiers of the marines had arrived on Friday and Saturday. 

The American government said it had sent forces to protect its embassy in Sanaa.

Meanwhile, more  than 400 terrorists from Al Qaeda in Al Mahfad, the current stronghold in a mountainous area between Abyan and Shabwah, are  readying to control the  town of Baihan, local  officia said.
 
The director of Al Mahfad district, Yaslem Al Anboori,said that in a press interview Sunday that  Al Qaeda in Al Mahfaf had sent a number of suicide bombers to Aden and Sanaa to target Yemeni and western  officials and installations.

Earlier, the  Yemeni Parliament called the American forces to leave the country immediately, after about 150 from the American Marines forces arrived to Sanaa after angry demonstrators  stormed and destroyed the US embassy in protest over American-Israeli film deemed abusive to Islam and its prophet Mohamed. 

"We do not accept any foreign forces in Yemen, be it small or big forces, and for any reason," said a statement by the Parliament on Saturday. The Parliament asked the government to protect all foreign missions in Yemen. The statement condemned the anti-Islam film ( the Innocence of Muslims) and called  for putting the film  makers on trial.

Meanwhile, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula called Muslims to kill more American diplomats saying that the film was only a new chapter of a Crusade war  on Islam. " Follow the example of  the Libyans, grandsons of Omar Al Mukhtar," said the statement in a clear reference to the killing of American ambassador in Libya last week. 

Four people were killed and 48 other injured including 10 soldiers last Thursday when angry protester stormed the US embassy in Sanaa. 61 cars were completely damaged, and 13 were burnt and one was stolen.
One of those killed was buried on Saturday in Sanan and his father said during the funeral that the America Marines killed his son. This would create additional anti-American sentiment.  

Yemeni government says marines exceptional case, Yemenis enraged

By Nasser Arrabyee, 16/09/2012

The Yemeni government said Sunday  that the American Marines forces are exceptional case to protect the US embassy, after  majority of Yemenis expressed their condemnation and refuasl for any Amreican forces in Yemen. 

Majority of Yemenis  on Facebook and twitter said allowing  American forces in Yemen would only increase Al Qaeda terrorists. Very few of Yemenis who said the marines came only to protect the embassy after the government failed completely to protect it from extremists and demagogic forces.

" We would not accept any foreign forces, but the unit in the US embassy is an exceptional case," said the government in a short statement in its media late Sunday. 

Al Qaeda and Al Houthi groups and many other extremist groups and individuals, exploited the  public outrage from film and marines  to promote their hostile  views on America and the West  in general.

 Al Qaeda in Radaa for instance on Sunday, September 16, 2012, took to the streets of the  town carrying their guns and raising their flags without any fear from authorities. 

The security forces did not do anything to them according to local residents. Even more,  Al Qaeda kidnapped a vehicle from the security forces and took it to their stronghold in Al Mesnah. 

The local resident also said that Al Qaeda exploited also the anger of the local people after the mistake of the US drone earlier this month that killed 11 civilians when it missed Al Qaeda car.

  Al Houthi Shitte group promoted thier slogan ( deat to America, death to Israel, curse to Jews) by putting more posters than ever before in the capital Sanaa especially after the marines arrived in the city. 

A total of 200 armored vehicles of the American marines arrived to the Yemeni capital Sanaa according to the weekly independent newspaper Al Ola.
And  250 soldiers of the marines had arrived on Friday and Saturday. 

The American government said it had sent forces to protect its embassy in Sanaa.

Meanwhile, more  than 400 terrorists from Al Qaeda in Al Mahfad, the current stronghold in a mountainous area between Abyan and Shabwah, are  readying to control the  town of Baihan, local  officia said.
 
The director of Al Mahfad district, Yaslem Al Anboori,said that in a press interview Sunday that  Al Qaeda in Al Mahfaf had sent a number of suicide bombers to Aden and Sanaa to target Yemeni and western  officials and installations.

Earlier, the  Yemeni Parliament called the American forces to leave the country immediately, after about 150 from the American Marines forces arrived to Sanaa after angry demonstrators  stormed and destroyed the US embassy in protest over American-Israeli film deemed abusive to Islam and its prophet Mohamed. 

"We do not accept any foreign forces in Yemen, be it small or big forces, and for any reason," said a statement by the Parliament on Saturday. The Parliament asked the government to protect all foreign missions in Yemen. The statement condemned the anti-Islam film ( the Innocence of Muslims) and called  for putting the film  makers on trial.

Meanwhile, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula called Muslims to kill more American diplomats saying that the film was only a new chapter of a Crusade war  on Islam. " Follow the example of  the Libyans, grandsons of Omar Al Mukhtar," said the statement in a clear reference to the killing of American ambassador in Libya last week. 

Four people were killed and 48 other injured including 10 soldiers last Thursday when angry protester stormed the US embassy in Sanaa. 61 cars were completely damaged, and 13 were burnt and one was stolen.
One of those killed was buried on Saturday in Sanan and his father said during the funeral that the America Marines killed his son. This would create additional anti-American sentiment.  

More marines forces arrive in Yemen despite refusal of the parliament

By Nasser Arrabyee,
16/09/2012

A total of 200 armored vehicles of the American marines arrived to the Yemeni capital Sanaa according to the weekly independent newspaper Al Ola.
And  250 soldiers of the marines had arrived on Friday and Saturday. 

The American government said it had sent forces to protect its embassy in Sanaa.

Meanwhile, more  than 400 terrorists from Al Qaeda in Al Mahfad, the current stronghold in a mountainous area between Abyan and Shabwah, are  readying to control the  town of Baihan, local  officia said.
 
The director of Al Mahfad district, Yaslem Al Anboori,said that in a press interview Sunday that  Al Qaeda in Al Mahfaf had sent a number of suicide bombers to Aden and Sanaa to target Yemeni and western  officials and installations.

Earlier, the  Yemeni Parliament called the American forces to leave the country immediately, after about 150 from the American Marines forces arrived to Sanaa after angry demonstrators  stormed and destroyed the US embassy in protest over American-Israeli film deemed abusive to Islam and its prophet Mohamed. 

"We do not accept any foreign forces in Yemen, be it small or big forces, and for any reason," said a statement by the Parliament on Saturday. The Parliament asked the government to protect all foreign missions in Yemen. The statement condemned the anti-Islam film ( the Innocence of Muslims) and called  for putting the film  makers on trial.

Meanwhile, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula called Muslims to kill more American diplomats saying that the film was only a new chapter of a Crusade war  on Islam. " Follow the example of  the Libyans, grandsons of Omar Al Mukhtar," said the statement in a clear reference to the killing of American ambassador in Libya last week. 

Four people were killed and 48 other injured including 10 soldiers last Thursday when angry protester stormed the US embassy in Sanaa. 61 cars were completely damaged, and 13 were burnt and one was stolen.
One of those killed was buried on Saturday in Sanan and his father said during the funeral that the America Marines killed his son. This would create additional anti-American sentiment.  

Yemeni parliament calls for repelling the Marines from Yemen

By Nasser Arrabyee,15/09/2012


The Yemeni Parliament called the American forces to leave the country immediately, after about 150 from the American Marines forces arrived to Sanaa after angry demonstrators  stormed and destroyed the US embassy in protest over American-Israeli film deemed abusive to Islam and its prophet Mohamed. 

"We do not accept any foreign forces in Yemen, be it small or big forces, and for any reason," said a statement by the Parliament on Saturday. The Parliament asked the government to protect all foreign missions in Yemen. The statement condemned the anti-Islam film ( the Innocence of Muslims) and called  for putting the film  makers on trial.

Meanwhile, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula called Muslims to kill more American diplomats saying that the film was only a new chapter of a Crusade war  on Islam. " Follow the example of  the Libyans, grandsons of Omar Al Mukhtar," said the statement in a clear reference to the killing of American ambassador in Libya last week. 

Four people were killed and 48 other injured including 10 soldiers last Thursday when angry protester stormed the US embassy in Sanaa. 61 cars were completely damaged, and 13 were burnt and one was stolen.
One of those killed was buried on Saturday in Sanan and his father said during the funeral that the America Marines killed his son. This would create additional anti-American sentiment.  

Attacks on Embassy May Hurt Yemeni-American Relations

Embassy Violence Undermines Yemeni Progress

By Eve Weston, 14/09/2012

The attack today on the U.S. embassy has done much to undermine the progress Yemen has been making on other fronts. In August the country clawed back some self-control and self-respect by cancelling a deal with Dubai Ports Worlds (DPW), which had been signed by long-term leader, Ali Abdullah Saleh. Yemen has been struggling to bring itself back from Saleh’s regime and  progress towards a sense of unity that brings together the north and the south as well as different Muslim groups. Part of this has included aid and connections with countries such as America. The recent attacks put this kind of cooperation in jeopardy.

The Dubai Ports Worlds Deal

It is common sense to believe that a development deal using natural resources benefits the location with the resources. Yet, all too often in corrupt or incompetent regimes this has not been the case. The same goes the Dubai Ports Worlds deal. The natural resource in question was the port of Aden. According to the Yemen Times, Saleh conducted the deal in such a shoddy manner that DPW made a massive profit on the deal while Saleh earned short term cash.

The DPW deal was meant to last 100 years, but Hadi’s government has been able to exploit contractual obligations that have been missed in order to renege on the deal with honour intact. DPW failed to increase Aden’s capacity to 900,000 containers as well as providing a safe port in the area. Transport Minister Waed Abdullah Bathib used this as an excuse to cut the deal and sign over control to the southern controlled Port of Aden Corporation. This deal is hopefully the first of many that will help develop a sense of social and financial mobility in not just Yemen as a whole, but in particular with the South, which has always felt neglected.

The Embassy Attacks

This apparent progress has been overshadowed now by the attack on the embassy. Luckily for the American diplomatic staff inside the compound was secure enough to protect them from any harm. The same could not be said for staff in the Libya embassy who were murdered by Libyan protestors. Protests across the Muslim world were sparked by an independent film that had nothing to do with the American government or the vast majority of Americans, but was a poorly made satire on Islam made by those who do not like the religion. Whatever the leanings of the film itself, the overreaction of people in Sana’a, has overshadowed work the American government has done since the fall of Saleh in 2011. This aid has included $345 million dollars worth of humanitarian, developmental and security aid in 2012, which is double that of 2011. This money and Yemen’s future could be in doubt if this kind of help is rewarded with more violence.

Moving on the Right Path

The Hadi government’s move towards national unity and reconciliation is the right move. While elected in a one-candidate coronation and while being a Saleh insider, it is hoped that Hadi will prove more democratic and inclusive than his predecessor. Being a southerner will not harm his case nor will turning over the port of Aden to a southern company. Still many challenges remain, least of all turning Yemen from a radical hotbed of dissent and religious extremism to a more inclusive and outward looking society. Developing Aden is the first step in this process

Importantly, Yemen needs to prove that it can dampen down groups who whip up radical support for violence against outsiders or non-Muslims in the country. As the United Arab Emirates and to a lesser extent Qatar and Oman, have proven, there is a big market for inclusive and tourist friendly in the Middle East, which is to everyone’s benefit.

It is to be hoped that Hadi and his government can put in place measures to bring a sense of reality back to the people of Yemen, to allay fears, to improve employment, conditions and to improve security so that more people come to the country and invest their money. Ideally, for you the tourist, the only protection for your trip will be top quality travel insurance. Yemen has a lot to offer tourists and investors alike if the situation improves. The port of Aden with its natural climate and geography has the potential to be a greater resource than Dubai.

Eve Weston writes on regular basis for a number of politics and finance blogs. She currently is based in Lancaster but has travelled extensively in recent years including several months in Tokyo in 2011.

2 killed, more than 10 injured, US embassy stormed, angry protesters set fire to staff cars

By Nasser Arrabyee,13/09/2012

Two people were killed and at least 10 injured when security forces opened fire on protesters angry on American film insulting Islam tried to storm the US embassy in Sanaa, security sources said Thursday.

The Yemeni President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi said that the protesters who stormed the US embassy in Sanaa were demagogic.

He apologized to President Obama for what happened to the embassy by the protesters who were angry over the American-Israeli film that abused the Prophet of Islam Mohammed.

"Those who attacked the US embassy were demagogic who do not realize the conspiracies and plots of the Zionist forces especially those who produced and disseminated the film that abused the prophet," said Hadi in a statement after aggression on the embassy.

 The Yemeni minister of interior Abdul Qader Qahtan arrived to the US embassy to supervise the measures of protection after protesters were forced out from the embassy yard, sources said. 

Some protesters said they were able to raise a white flag with ' No God but Allah, Mohammed Messenger of Allah'  written on it, inside the compound of the US embassy. 

Some protesters were injured and some were arrested of those who were able to reach inside the US embassy, sources said Thursday. 
Some of the parking  cars were  burnt, and smoke  is still rising from inside the fortified compound. 

The Yemeni security forces were able to secure the US embassy after angry protesters stormed it to condemn a video considered abusive to Islam, sources at the gate of the embassy said.

But smoke is still rising from one of the embassy's building. The protesters who  climbed the wall of the embassy were able set fire to the building.

"Now almost every one is out, and firing is ceased," said Yahya Yousef, a resident whose house is opposite the gate of the Embassy.

"We saw protesters getting out with some stuff from inside," he said referring to plundering committed by some protesters.

The protests came hours after sheikh Abdul Majid Al Zandani called for doing something like what happened in in Libya and Egypt, to express anger over the abuses against the prophet Mohammed.  Al Zandani is accused by US and UN of supporting global terrorism. 

  

 Meanwhile,   The Embassy of the Republic of Yemen in Washington, D.C. reiterates the Government of Yemen’s strong condemnation on the attack on the  U.S. Embassy compound in Sana’a, Yemen. Furthermore, the Government of Yemen condemns any and all acts of violence against diplomatic personnel and facilities. We strongly urge all those that would wish to incite others to violence to cease immediately.
 
Given recent regional events, earlier this morning, angry protestors have unfortunately flooded the security perimeter of the U.S. embassy in Sana’a, Yemen and breached the embassy’s wall. Security services have quickly restored order to the Embassy’s complex. Fortunately no casualties were reported from this chaotic incident. The government of Yemen will honor international obligations to ensure the safety of diplomats and will step up security presence around all foreign missions.
 

  

US embassy stormed, angry protesters set fire to building

By Nasser Arrabyee,13/09/2012

The Yemeni minister of interior Abdul Qader Qahtan arrived to the US embassy to supervise the measures of protection after protesters were forced out from the embassy yard, sources said. 

Some protesters said they were able to raise a white flag with ' No God but Allah, Mohammed Messenger of Allah'  written on it, inside the compound of the US embassy. 

Some protesters were injured and some were arrested of those who were able to reach inside the US embassy, sources said Thursday. 
Some of the parking  cars were  burnt, and smoke  is still rising from inside the fortified compound. 

The Yemeni security forces were able to secure the US embassy after angry protesters stormed it to condemn a video considered abusive to Islam, sources at the gate of the embassy said.

But smoke is still rising from one of the embassy's building. The protesters who  climbed the wall of the embassy were able set fire to the building.

"Now almost every one is out, and firing is ceased," said Yahya Yousef, a resident whose house is opposite the gate of the Embassy.

"We saw protesters getting out with some stuff from inside," he said referring to plundering committed by some protesters.

The protests came hours after sheikh Abdul Majid Al Zandani called for doing something like what happened in in Libya and Egypt, to express anger over the abuses against the prophet Mohammed.  Al Zandani is accused by US and UN of supporting global terrorism. 

  

 Meanwhile,   The Embassy of the Republic of Yemen in Washington, D.C. reiterates the Government of Yemen’s strong condemnation on the attack on the  U.S. Embassy compound in Sana’a, Yemen. Furthermore, the Government of Yemen condemns any and all acts of violence against diplomatic personnel and facilities. We strongly urge all those that would wish to incite others to violence to cease immediately.
 
Given recent regional events, earlier this morning, angry protestors have unfortunately flooded the security perimeter of the U.S. embassy in Sana’a, Yemen and breached the embassy’s wall. Security services have quickly restored order to the Embassy’s complex. Fortunately no casualties were reported from this chaotic incident. The government of Yemen will honor international obligations to ensure the safety of diplomats and will step up security presence around all foreign missions.
 

  

US embassy stormed, angry protesters set fire to building

By Nasser Arrabyee,13/09/2012

Some protesters were injured and some were arrested of those who were able to reach inside the US embassy, sources said Thursday. 
Some of the parking  cars were  burnt, and smoke  is still rising from inside the fortified compound. 

The Yemeni security forces were able to secure the US embassy after angry protesters stormed it to condemn a video considered abusive to Islam, sources at the gate of the embassy said.

But smoke is still rising from one of the embassy's building. The protesters who  climbed the wall of the embassy were able set fire to the building.

"Now almost every one is out, and firing is ceased," said Yahya Yousef, a resident whose house is opposite the gate of the Embassy.

"We saw protesters getting out with some stuff from inside," he said referring to plundering committed by some protesters.

The protests came hours after sheikh Abdul Majid Al Zandani called for doing something like what happened in in Libya and Egypt, to express anger over the abuses against the prophet Mohammed.  Al Zandani is accused by US and UN of supporting global terrorism. 

  

US embassy stormed, angry protesters set fire to building

By Nasser Arrabyee,13/09/2012

The Yemeni security forces were able to secure the US embassy after angry protesters stormed it to condemn a video considered abusive to Islam, sources at the gate of the embassy said.

But smoke is still rising from one of the embassy's building. The protesters who  climbed the wall of the embassy were able set fire to the building.

"Now almost every one is out, and firing is ceased," said Yahya Yousef, a resident whose house is opposite the gate of the Embassy.

"We saw protesters getting out with some stuff from inside," he said referring to plundering committed by some protesters.

  

Intelligence chief sacked after suicide bombing

By Nasser Arrabyee, 12/09/2012 

The Yemeni President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi sacked the head of the external intelligence after the suicide bombing that killed and injured about 30 people at the gate of the Cabinet on Tuesday. 

Ali Ansi, the  head of the National Security Agency was then appointed as an ambassador at the ministry of foreign affairs. 

Ali Hassan Al Ahmadi replaced  Al Ansi. Al Ahmadi was the governor of Shabwah.

Ghalib Al Kamish, head of the Political Security Organization, internal intelligence, was not changed.

The  governors of Amran, Shabwah, Al Baidha, Al Jawf, and Sanaa were changed. The minister of oil was changed. 

Drones and suicide bombings back again

By Nasser Arrabyee/11/09/2012

The political and security situation in Yemen is worsening despite international and regional efforts to bring the 2-year transition deal to success. 

About 30 people were killed and injured in a suicide bombing at the gate of the Yemeni cabinet on Tuesday in the heart of the capital Sanaa. Two days earlier the President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi said his authorities foiled three car bombs that were supposed to target important interests and officials in Sanaa, Aden and Hudhrmout.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2012, at least  12 people including 7 soldiers were killed and more than 15 injured when a car bomb exploded in  the convoy of the defense minister at the gate of the cabinet which was holding its weekly meeting. 

The minister of defense,  Mohammed Nasser Ahmed survived the assassination attempt. This is the fourth assassination attempt against Nasser since led the war against Al Qaeda earlier this year. 

The minister of defense was almost the first to get out from the weekly meeting of the cabinet and the  car bomb, driven by a suicide bomber, was waiting outside and when the minister's convoy (three cars) got out it exploded, according to eyewitnesses. 

The bombing destroyed the last car of the convoy killing all the seven bodyguards inside and five people at least of the passers-by were also killed. More than 15 people were injured and three buildings were heavily damaged  in the site.  In addition to the car bomb, three cars were destroyed including the car of the bodyguards. 

The security authorities in official statements that TNT explosives were found and defused nearby the wall of the building of the cabinet. The explosives were supposed to explode by remote control after the suicide bombing.  The minister of interior Abdul Qader Qahtan said in a statement to the state-run TV that there security shortcomings. 

The attack carries the hall marks of Al Qaeda  especially that such a terrorist attack came only one day after the second man of Al Qaeda in Yemen was killed in a US drone attack with full cooperation from the Yemeni government. 

The attack also came hours before a demonstration called for by the Islamist party, Islah, Yemen brotherhood, to refuse  the former president Ali Abdullah Saleh's participation in politics as head of his party that has 50 per cent of the unity government. 


Al Qaeda second man killed by drone

The second man of the Al Qaeda in the Arabia. peninsular ( AQAP), Saeed Ali Al Shihri, was killed along  with six other terrorists by a US drone attack in the eastern province of Hudhrmout on Monday. The killing of Al Shihri was considered to be painful blow to Al Qaeda.

The other six terrorists killed in the operation were leading members of Al Qaeda  but were not identified by the official statement. 

According to local sources, Al Shihir, 40, Saudi national, was killed in the second drone attack after he escaped with three other injured operatives. The drone killed him with the three injured in a remote area in Wadi Hudhrmout.

Al Shihri and a group of eight terrorists  were at the village of Al Hashem in Wadi Al Ain between Mukalla and Sayoun when the drone attacked them killing four of them and injuring three others. The big fish, Al Shihri, survived in this attack .

Al Shihri, who returned from Guantanamo to Saudi Arabia in 2007 before he joined  Al Qaeda in Yemen in early 2009, took the three injured in Hilux car used usually as a mobile hospital and escaped to desert according to local residents in Wadi Al Ain. 

The US drone followed Al Shihri, alias Abu Sufian Al Auzdi, to kill him with the three injured  in a remote area in the valley of Hudhrmout the sources said. 

The Saudi Al Shihri emerged in Yemen as Al Qaeda second top leader in January 2009 when the Saudi branch of Al Qaeda united with the Yemeni branch forming what they called Al Qaeda in Arabian Peninsular (AQAP).
Now, the Yemeni top leader, Nasser Al Wahayshi, Alias Abu Basir,  is the only one left. Although Al Shihri was Al Wahayshi's deputy, he was more important as Saudi national and Saudis are connected with the financiers in Saudi Arabia and the gulf as a whole. The killing of Al Shihri was considered as a painful strike to Al Qaeda a success for the US drone  continuous campaigns.

The drones successfully killed Anwar Al Awlaki, the second most  wanted after Bin Laden in September 30, 2011 in the eastern province of Al Jawf. Fahd Al Qusu, the third most wanted for CIA, was killed in his village in Shabwah on May 2012 by a US drone. 

If drones make mistakes and kill civilians, like last week when 11 people killed when a missile missed Al Qaeda car in Radaa south east of the country,  Al Qaeda exploits these mistake to recruit more and more fighters and sympathizes. 

12 killed and more 15 injured in the suicide bombing at the gate of Yemeni cabinet

By Nasser Arrabyee/11/09/2012

A total of 12 people including 7 soldiers were killed and more than 15 injured when a car bomb exploded in  the convoy of the defense minister at the gate of the cabinet, said the minister of interior on Tuesday.

The minister of defense Mohammed Nasser Ahmed survived the assassination attempt.

The minister of defense was almost the first to come out from the weekly meeting of the cabinet and the  car bomb, driven by suicide bomber, was waiting outside and when the minister's convoy (three cars) got out it exploded.

The bombing destroyed the last car of the convoy killing all the seven bodyguards inside and five people at least of the passers-by were also killed. More than 15 people were injured and three buildings were heavily damaged  in the site.  In addition to the car bomb, three cars were destroyed including the car of the bodyguards. 

Such a terrorist attack came only one day after the second man of Al Qaeda in Yemen was killed. 


Al Qaeda second man survived in the first drone attack and killed in the second 

The second man of the Al Qaeda in the Arabia. peninsular ( AQAP), Saeed Ali Al Shihri, was killed along  with six other terrorists by a US drone attack in the eastern province of Hudhrmout, said the state-run media on Monday.

The other six terrorists killed in the operation were leading members of Al Qaeda  but were not identified by the official statement.

According to local sources, Al Shihir, 40, Saudi national, was killed in the second drone attack after he escaped with three other injured operatives. The drone killed him with the three injured in a remote area in Wadi Hudhrmout.

Al Shihri and a group of eight terrorists  were at the village of Al Hashem in Wadi Al Ain between Mukalla and Sayoun when the drone attacked them killing four of them and injuring three others. 

Al Shihri, who returned from Guantanamo to Saudi Arabia in 2007 before he joined  Al Qaeda in Yemen, took the three injured in Hilux car used usually as mobile hospital and escaped to desert. 

The US drone followed Al Shihri, alias Abu Sufian Al Auzdi, to kill him with the three injured  in a remote area in the valley of Hudhrmout the sources said. 

Al Qaeda second man survived in the first drone attack and killed in the second

By Nasser Arrabyee/10/09/2012

The second man of the Al Qaeda in the Arabia. peninsular ( AQAP), Saeed Ali Al Shihri, was killed along  with six other terrorists by a US drone attack in the eastern province of Hudhrmout, said the state-run media on Monday.

The other six terrorists killed in the operation were leading members of Al Qaeda  but were not identified by the official statement.

According to local sources, Al Shihir, 40, Saudi national, was killed in the second drone attack after he escaped with three other injured operatives. The drone killed him with the three injured in a remote area in Wadi Hudhrmout.

Al Shihri and a group of eight terrorists  were at the village of Al Hashem in Wadi Al Ain between Mukalla and Sayoun when the drone attacked them killing four of them and injuring three others. 

Al Shihri, who returned from Guantanamo to Saudi Arabia in 2007 before he joined  Al Qaeda in Yemen, took the three injured in Hilux car used usually as mobile hospital and escaped to desert. 

The US drone followed Al Shihri, alias Abu Sufian Al Auzdi, to kill him with the three injured  in a remote area in the valley of Hudhrmout the sources said. 

Five Al Qaeda operatives killed in clashes with tribesmen and army

By Nasser Arrabyee, 08/09/2012

Five Al Qaeda terrorists were killed and four others injured in clashes between  tribesmen loyal to the government and Al Qaeda operatives in the area of Moraib, between Shuqrah and Jaar of the southern province of Abyan, local sources said Saturday. 

The clashes started very late Saturday after the tribesmen ( known ad anti-Al Qaeda popular committees) in cooperation with the army surrounded one of Al Qaeda leaders called Nader  Al Shaddadi in the area of Moriab, the same place where Al Qaeda failed to assassinate the leader of committees, Abdul Latif Al Sayed yesterday Friday. 

The sources said one fighter from the committees was killed in the clashes of Saturday. 

Earlier on Friday, a  man  from the committtees was killed when Al Qaeda operatives failed to assassinate a tribal leader fighting against Al Qaeda in the southern province of Abyan. 

Al Qaeda operatives made an ambush in the area of Moraib, between Shuqrah and Jaar but they failed to kill Abdul Latif AlSayed, the leader of anti-Al Qaeda popular committees. Al Qaeda operatives fired at the convoy of Al Sayed at the area of Moraib, and the bodyguards fired back and forced them to escape, the sources said.

One of the bodyguards was killed however, the sources said. The tribal leader Abdul Latif Al Sayed, who defected from Al Qaeda earlier this year, was not with the convoy. Al Sayed survived many assassinations after his  defection. Last August, Al Qaeda killed and injured more 100 people in a condolence meeting in his house in Jaar. 

Meanwhile, four Al Qaeda operatives were arrested in the Yemeni capital Sanaa after an assassination of a senior intelligence officer, according to statement published by the state-run media on Friday.

The four were arrested in Musaik and Sawan, two neighborhoods famous for harboring operatives of Al Qaeda at the eastern part of Sanaa.

The four were behind the assassination of the intelligence office Yahya Badi last Thursday 30 August, 2012.

Two you people, believed to be Al Qaeda operatives, shot Badi dead while getting out from his house in Habrah area at the eastern part of Sanaa. A lot of Al Qaeda operatives found safe haven in the capital Sanaa after they were driven out from their Emirates in Abyan last June.

Security sources said on Friday that two Syrians and one Iraqi were among those eight killed and injured in a US drone attack last Wednesday at Al Hashem village in Wadi Al Ain between Sauoyn and Mukalla of the eastern province of Hudhrmout. 

Parliament suspended sessions after rival members entered with guns

By Nasser Arrabyee,08/09/2012

The speaker of  the Yemeni parliament suspended the sessions of Saturday after three rival members  turned the room of the sessions into something like a military barrack by bringing their gunmen inside the room.

The three MPs are tribal leaders from different tribes and  have family feuds.
Deputy speaker of Parlaiment, Hemyar Al Ahmar son of the most powerful tribal leader of Hashed tribe, told his bodyguards to come in with him to the sessions room, which is not allowed to anyone to do that. 

The MP Sagheer bin Azeez, tribal leader from Bakeel, who accuses Al Ahmar family of killing his brother, told his bodyguards to do the same and to come in with him to sessions room. Each one had twelve gunmen at least.

The MP,  Mohammed Bin Naji Al Shayef, the top tribal leader of Bakeel, the second most influential tribe in Yemen, and the historic rival of Hashed, told his bodyguards to enter to the sessions room as well. 

Usually, the bodyguards of the MPs, each one of the 301  has at least five gunmen, leave the bodyguards outside the main gate of the Parliament. 

Anti-Al Qaeda tribal leader survived assassination, bodyguard killed

By Nasser Arrabyee, 07/09/2012

A man was killed when Al Qaeda operatives failed to assassinate a tribal leader fighting against Al Qaeda in the southern province of Abyan, said local sources late Friday. 

Al Qaeda operatives made an ambush in the area of Moraib, between Shuqrah and Jaar but they failed to kill Abdul Latif AlSayed, the leader of anti-Al Qaeda popular committees. Al Qaeda operatives fired at the convoy of Al Sayed at the area of Moraib, and the bodyguards fired back and forced them to escape, the sources said.

One of the bodyguards was killed however, the sources said. The tribal leader Abdul Latif Al Sayed, who defected from Al Qaeda earlier this year, was not with the convoy. Al Sayed survived many assassinations after his  defection. Last August, Al Qaeda killed and injured more 100 people in a condolence meeting in his house in Jaar. 

Meanwhile, four Al Qaeda operatives were arrested in the Yemeni capital Sanaa after an assassination of a senior intelligence officer, according to statement published by the state-run media on Friday.

The four were arrested in Musaik and Sawan, two neighborhoods famous for harboring operatives of Al Qaeda at the eastern part of Sanaa.

The four were behind the assassination of the intelligence office Yahya Badi last Thursday 30 August, 2012.

Two you people, believed to be Al Qaeda operatives, shot Badi dead while getting out from his house in Habrah area at the eastern part of Sanaa. A lot of Al Qaeda operatives found safe haven in the capital Sanaa after they were driven out from their Emirates in Abyan last June.

Security sources said on Friday that two Syrians and one Iraqi were among those eight killed and injured in a US drone attack last Wednesday at Al Hashem village in Wadi Al Ain between Sauoyn and Mukalla of the eastern province of Hudhrmout. 

8 Al Qaeda killed and injured in fresh drone attack in Sayoun, 10 arrested in Sanaa

By Nasser Arrabyee,06/09/2012

A total of 10 Al Qaeda suspects were arrested in Al Kadesyah neighborhood east of the presidential house in Sanaa, said security sources on Thursday. 

This group were fighting against the army in Abyan before Al Qaeda was driven out last June. They are also accused of being behind the assassination of the intelligence officer Yahya Badi in Habrah area in the city of Sanaa earlier this week. The campaign however failed to arrest Adel Abdullah Thabet, and Abdul Majid Al Hanek, the most wanted.

Earlier in the week, counter-terrorism forces stormed a number of houses in Al Kadesyah including the houses of Abdul Majid Dawmah, Mohammed Al Fadhli, and Abdullah Thabet

Earlier on Wednesday, five Al Qaeda operatives were killed and three injured in a US drone attack in the eastern province of Hudhrmout. Three of those killed were not Yemenis, but their nationalities were not known to the residents who immediately came to site after the attack.

The residents found five dead bodies and three men injured under the rubble of the house that was destroyed by missile from a drone.

The house is located at the village of Al Hashem, in Wadi Al Ain between Mukalla and Sayoun of Hudhrmout province.

The house belongs to one of Al Qaeda leaders called Bin Salem who was among those killed in the attacks, the residents said.


In Abyan province, two tribal leaders survived an assassination attack on Wednesday immediately after a meeting tribesmen on how to fight terrorism and extremism of Al Qaeda, said local sources.

Sheikh Mohammed Al Jadani, and Sheikh Ahmed Al Sayed Aidaroos, were driving close to Al Wade'e area when gunmen fired on their car. The bodyguards of the sheikhs fired back and forced them to escape, the sources said.  

The tribal meeting was held in Lawdar earlier in the morning to discuss more effective ways for fighting Al Qaeda.  The attack came after Sheikh Al Jadani received threats over phone on Wednesday and many times earlier, the sources said. 

Earlier in the week,  12 people including three from one family were killed when a US drone missed a car of Al Qaeda leader in Al Husn area of Radaa, to hit another car carrying civilians.

The President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi formed an investigation committeee after tribal leaders mediated to reduce the anger of the victims' relatives their tribesmen. 

8 Al Qaeda killed and injured in fresh drone attack

By Nasser Arrabyee,05/09/2012

Five Al Qaeda operatives were killed and three injured in a US drone attack in the eastern province of Hudhrmout, local residents said on Wednesday. 

The residents found five dead bodies and three men injured under the rubble of the house that was destroyed by missile from a drone.
The house is located at the village of Al Hashem, in Wadi Al Ain between Mukalla and Sayoun of Hudhrmout province.

The house belongs to one of Al Qaeda leaders called Bin Salem who was among those killed in the attacks, the residents said.


In Abyan province, two tribal leaders survived an assassination attack on Wednesday immediately after a meeting tribesmen on how to fight terrorism and extremism of Al Qaeda, said local sources.

Sheikh Mohammed Al Jadani, and Sheikh Ahmed Al Sayed Aidaroos, were driving close to Al Wade'e area when gunmen fired on their car. The bodyguards of the sheikhs fired back and forced them to escape, the sources said.  

The tribal meeting was held in Lawdar earlier in the morning to discuss more effective ways for fighting Al Qaeda.  The attack came after Sheikh Al Jadani received threats over phone on Wednesday and many times earlier, the sources said. 

Earlier in the week,  12 people including three from one family were killed when a US drone missed a car of Al Qaeda leader in Al Husn area of Radaa, to hit another car carrying civilians.

The President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi formed an investigation committeee after tribal leaders mediated to reduce the anger of the victims' relatives their tribesmen. 

Saleh still playing politics with millions of supporters

By Nasser Arrabyee,03/09/2012

The Yemen former President Ali Abdullah  Saleh is  still playing  politics with  millions of supporters around him.

On Monday morning, September 3, 2012,  he was driving in the middle of capital Sanaa with hundreds of bodyguards and loyal politicians  in their way to the country's biggest place for holding conferences. 

Thousands of men and women and children were carrying his pictures and chanting, cheering and trying to get closer to his car when the procession arrived outside the Stadium of May 22 at the northern part of Sanaa. All those who were outside the Stadium were not allowed to get in because they were uninvited. 

More than 10,000 members of Saleh's party, People's General Congress (PGC), and their guests of politicians and diplomats were waiting inside to start a well-prepared ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of PGC that was founded by Saleh in 1982.

In a lengthy speech being aired live in three TV channels and FM radio owned by members of the  PGC, Saleh urged his supporters to stand and cooperate with his successor, the new elected  President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi for bringing the coming national dialogue next November to success. 

Although President Hadi is the secretary general and deputy chairman of PGC ( deputy of Saleh for PGC),  but he did not attend the ceremony of Monday  to show more neutrality as a President for all parties and Yemenis.

However, Saleh strongly criticized the national unity government that is chaired by his opponents ( a coalition of Islamists, Socialists, and Nasserites) who were behind the 2011 uprising  against him. 
Although Saleh's party has 17 ministers in the 34-member cabinet, he described the government as " failed and incapable" .

Saleh said the government keeps throwing their failure on him.
"Even if a storm happens in the United  States, they will say Saleh did it," he said as his supporters applauded and cheered. 

"What did you do to those who bombed the oil and gas, and those who blocked the roads and those who sabotaged the electricity towers, did you put them on trial,"  Saleh, who now  plays the role of opposition,  asked the government. 

The Saudi capital Riyadh is hosting this week ( Starting Tuesday September 4)  a conference for the donors of Yemen who include Gulf countries, Europeans, Americans, and  other countries. Yemen needs more than 10 billion dollars to fix the economic problems during the transitional period.

Saleh thanked particularly Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Kuwait for their support for Yemen. And ironically, he thanked Qatar for "pumping" dollars to his opponents during the protests of last year.  

The UN envoy to Yemen Jamal Bin Omar is scheduled to arrive in Sanaa on Thursday September 6 to continue helping the conflicting parties implement the Saudi-sponsored and US-backed deal that is supposed to entirely end the crisis by conducting a presidential elections on February 2014. 

The success of the national dialogue next November will be the most important step of all steps taken so far since the deal was signed by Saleh and his opponents in Riyadh in November 2011.

12 people killed when US drone attack missed Al Qaeda leader

By Nasser Arrabyee,02/09/2012

A US drone attack  missed an Al Qaeda leader and mistakenly killed more than 12  people  in Radaa, said local sources on Sunday.

The drone seemingly was targeting the car of Abdul Raof Al Dhahab, one of Al Qaeda leaders, but the missile hit a car carrying 12 people including three from one family, father, mother and daughter, local resident said. 

The two cars were driving in Al Hema area in Al Masaneh, the main stronghold of Al Qaeda in Radaa.

Earlier in the week, Al Qaeda threatened to bomb oil and gas installations in the south if the army attacked them in the last stronghold of Al Mahfad an area between Shabwa and Abyan.


New clashes with terrorist in Jaar, Al Qaeda leader killed in the Friday US drone attack

At least 10 people were killed and injured in clashes between Al Qaeda fighters and tribesmen from the anti-Al Qaeda popular committees in the area of Khanfar, at the outskirts of Jaar of the southern province of Abyan, local sources said on Sunday. 

The clashes happened after the tribesmen loyal to the government arrested two Al Qaeda operatives in Jaar on Saturday, the sources said.

Saleh Al Shatar, Emir of Al Qaeda in Khanfar, and Mukhtar Ahmed were arrested in Jaar.

To this regard, Khaled Musalam Batis, one of Al Qaeda leaders, was killed by a US drone attack last Friday in the area of Hawrah in Al Kutn district of the eastern province of Hudhrmout, according to an  official statement published on Sunday.

Khaled was killed with eight other operatives while driving their cars in Hawrah area. He is the brother of Salah Musalam Batis, a leading member of the Islamist party, Islah, in Hudhrmout. The family of Batis recognized their son from among the deadbodies that were under the wreckage of the car that was hit by a US  drone last Friday. 


Anti-Al Qaeda cleric killed in drone attacks that killed 12 terrorists, and clerics say " aggression and violation of sovereignty" 

The US drone attacks would turn Yemen to another Wazir Stan, said a group of Yemeni clerics after one of them was killed by a drone attack that targeted Al Qaeda operatives in the eastern part of the country.

The  group, calling themselves union  of the southern clerics, said in a statement sent to media on Friday  that " the drone attacks are violating the sovereignty and flagrant aggression".

A total of 8 Al Qaeda operatives were killed  when an airstrike hit two cars in the area of Al Khashaa, 40 km west of Al Kutn in the eastern province of Hudhrmout, according to the government-run media on Friday.

The local residents believe  that all the air attacks are implemented by US drones not by Yemeni fighter jets and their evidence on that is the accuracy of the attacks.

The clerics ,in their statement,  said a clerics of them was killed in one of the recent attacks when a US drone attacked and killed four Al Qaeda operatives who were in a meeting with the cleric.

 The cleric is called Salem Ahmed Ali Jaber, teacher and mosque speaker, in Al Kutn. Jaber is Salafi who studied in the main Salafi center of Saada. And he was always speaking against Al Qaeda. In his recent sermons he said Al Qaeda is against Islam.

According to local sources Al Qaeda sent on Wednesday four operatives to the cleric Jaber to blame him and while the five people were in the meeting a US drone came and killed them  all in the area of Al Khshamer in Al Kutn of the eastern province of Hudhrmout. 

The Yemeni army  in cooperation with the American drones intensified the attacks on Al Qaeda operatives who try to regroup themselves in new places after they were driven out from Zinjubar and Jaar and Azzan last june. 

Sources said that Yemeni troops are being re-deployed in areas close to  mountains of Marakish of Abyan in a clear preparation for  attacking and controlling  the newly established stronghold of Al Mahfad where Al Qaeda train their fighters.

Meanwhile the ministry of interior released Friday  a warning to check points in Abyan and Shabwah against possible attacks from Al Qaeda side. 

New clashes with terrorists in Jaar, Al Qaeda leader killed in the Friday US drone attack

By Nasser Arrabyee,02/09/2012

At least 10 people were killed and injured in clashes between Al Qaeda fighters and tribesmen from the anti-Al Qaeda popular committees in the area of Khanfar, at the outskirts of Jaar of the southern province of Abyan, local sources said on Sunday. 

The clashes happened after the tribesmen loyal to the government arrested two Al Qaeda operatives in Jaar on Saturday, the sources said.

Saleh Al Shatar, Emir of Al Qaeda in Khanfar, and Mukhtar Ahmed were arrested in Jaar.

To

To this regard, Khaled Musalam Batis, one of Al Qaeda leaders, was killed by a US drone attack last Friday in the area of Hawrah in Al Kutn district of the eastern province of Hudhrmout, according to an  official statement published on Sunday.

Khaled was killed with eight other operatives while driving their cars in Hawrah area. He is the brother of Salah Musalam Batis, a leading member of the Islamist party, Islah, in Hudhrmout. The family of Batis recognized their son from among the deadbodies that were under the wreckage of the car that was hit by a US  drone last Friday. 


Anti-Al Qaeda cleric killed in drone attacks that killed 12 terrorists, and clerics say " aggression and violation of sovereignty" 

The US drone attacks would turn Yemen to another Wazir Stan, said a group of Yemeni clerics after one of them was killed by a drone attack that targeted Al Qaeda operatives in the eastern part of the country.

The  group, calling themselves union  of the southern clerics, said in a statement sent to media on Friday  that " the drone attacks are violating the sovereignty and flagrant aggression".

A total of 8 Al Qaeda operatives were killed  when an airstrike hit two cars in the area of Al Khashaa, 40 km west of Al Kutn in the eastern province of Hudhrmout, according to the government-run media on Friday.

The local residents believe  that all the air attacks are implemented by US drones not by Yemeni fighter jets and their evidence on that is the accuracy of the attacks.

The clerics ,in their statement,  said a clerics of them was killed in one of the recent attacks when a US drone attacked and killed four Al Qaeda operatives who were in a meeting with the cleric.

 The cleric is called Salem Ahmed Ali Jaber, teacher and mosque speaker, in Al Kutn. Jaber is Salafi who studied in the main Salafi center of Saada. And he was always speaking against Al Qaeda. In his recent sermons he said Al Qaeda is against Islam.

According to local sources Al Qaeda sent on Wednesday four operatives to the cleric Jaber to blame him and while the five people were in the meeting a US drone came and killed them  all in the area of Al Khshamer in Al Kutn of the eastern province of Hudhrmout. 

The Yemeni army  in cooperation with the American drones intensified the attacks on Al Qaeda operatives who try to regroup themselves in new places after they were driven out from Zinjubar and Jaar and Azzan last june. 

Sources said that Yemeni troops are being re-deployed in areas close to  mountains of Marakish of Abyan in a clear preparation for  attacking and controlling  the newly established stronghold of Al Mahfad where Al Qaeda train their fighters.

Meanwhile the ministry of interior released Friday  a warning to check points in Abyan and Shabwah against possible attacks from Al Qaeda side.