Yemenis Major Component of Iraqi Insurgency
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Yemen Is Major Contributor To War In Iraq
Yemen has been identified as a leading contributor to the Sunni insurgency war in Iraq. Yemeni sources confirmed U.S. assertions that Yemeni nationals have comprised one of the largest foreign contingents in the al-Qaida campaign against the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq. The sources said al-Qaida-aligned groups established a recruiting infrastructure that has sent at least 1,000 Yemenis to fight in Iraq.
Details of the Yemeni contribution were reported by the Sanaa-based weekly Al Tajamu last Monday. The newspaper reported that more than 1,000 Yemeni men traveled to Iraq to fight in the Sunni insurgency.
The newspaper said most of the Yemenis were recruited in 2006. About 150 Yemenis were said to have been killed in the conflict.
About 75 percent of the Yemeni recruits arrived in Iraq directly from their native country, the newspaper, citing Islamic and security sources, said. The newspaper said most of the recruits were under 20 and regarded their mission as an Islamic holy war against the West.
Islamist groups have helped finance the trip of the Yemeni fighters to Iraq. The newspaper cited the Al Hekma Charitable Association, with offices in Abyan, Aden and Sanaa. Al Hekma has denied the assertion.
U.S. intelligence sources said Yemenis comprised one of the three largest groups of foreign insurgents in Iraq. They said many of the Yemenis were recruited for suicide strikes against Shiites and U.S. and Iraqi military targets.
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Baghdad, 29 Jan. (AKI) - At least 130 people have been arrested and charged with belonging to terrorist groups near the holy city of Najaf, local police sources said Monday. The arrests follow Sunday’s bloodshed in which some 300 militants were reportedly killed “Around 100 suspects in jail are not Iraqi but come from Yemen, Algeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan” the source said. Fierce fighting took place all Sunday between Iraqi soldiers, with US support, and insurgents to the north of Najaf. Asaad Abu Gilel, the governor of Najaf province, said the gunmen were seeking to attack Shiite clerics and pilgrims marking the holy festival of Ashura.
Unnamed Iraqi sources said that the insurgents were from a previously unknown militant group calling themselves the Army of Heaven, or Soldiers of Heaven.
