Armies of Liberation

Jane Novak's blog about Yemen

15 Al-Qaeda Suspects Confess to Targeting Oil Facilities in Saudi Arabia and Yemen

Filed under: Counter-terror, Oil, Saudi Arabia, TI: External, Yemen, arrests, attacks — by Jane Novak at 7:36 pm on Thursday, August 14, 2008

The YSB?

SAN’A, Yemen: A Yemeni security official says that recently detained members of al-Qaida have confessed to plans to attack oil facilities in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

The official says authorities “obtained during interrogation” confessions from 15 militants arrested after a shootout earlier this week in the town of Tarim in Hadramawt province.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

He says Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz was dispatched to Yemen after learning about the confessions. Riyadh did not comment on Nayef’s visit.

The following article says the YSB group was responsible for pretty much all the recent attacks attacks, including the three mortar attacks in Sana’a, the three suicide bombings and the attacks on the Belguin tourists. And makes the point that some predict, “The international community, mainly the US, will approve of government plans to prioritise security rather than democracy.” (furthering the ultimate Talibanization of Yemen)

SANA’A // The killing this week by Yemeni security forces of a key al Qa’eda mastermind will initially sow confusion among the group, but is likely to provoke a violent backlash, an analyst said.

“This operation is a big blow to al Qa’eda and will, of course, invite an angry response from al Qa’eda to retaliate. It is clear now the confrontation between the government and al Qa’eda is open,” said Saeed Thabet, a political analyst who follows Islamist movements.

Yemeni authorities announced on Aug 12 that Hamza al Quaiti, al Qa’eda in Yemen’s number two, was killed along with five other terror suspects in a shoot-out with police the previous day in Tarim, in south-eastern Hadramaut province.

Another two suspected militants were wounded and arrested by police. Two police officers were killed in the clash.

The ministry of interior has blamed Quaiti for masterminding several terror attacks in Yemen in recent months, including four car bomb attacks and an attack on Belgian tourists in Hadramaut on Jan 18 that killed two Belgian women and two Yemeni drivers. The ministry has also accused Quaiti of being behind the US Embassy bombing in March. The attack killed a security guard and wounded 13 students at a nearby school.

(Read on …)

Al-Qaeda Operative Al-Quayti Killed

Filed under: Counter-terror, TI: External, TI: Internal, Yemen, personalities, photos/gifs — by Jane Novak at 10:02 pm on Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Escaped al Qaeda operative Hamza al Quayti was killed in a shootout along with four other al-Qaeda operatives as well as two policemen. President Saleh said the group was planning attacks in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. A published report indicated elements within Yemeni security forces directed al Qauyti in March to launch a failed mortar attack on the US embassy and cleared the roads for his escape after the attack. The coordinates were off deliberately, the report says. Makes sense. The official regime meme is the current raid is proof Yemen is cooperating in the WOT, and deserves “greater international support and understanding” (!!money!!). The group is supposedly responsible for all three car bombings (election, tourists, police station).

Daily Times: Yemen’s leading Al Qaeda fugitive killed in shootout

SANAA: Yemen said on Tuesday that a prominent fugitive member of the local branch of Al Qaeda was killed in a shootout when police stormed a house in the eastern province of Hadramaut.

Hamza al-Quayti, one of 23 Al Qaeda militants who broke out of jail in February 2006, was killed along with four other fighters in Monday’s clash in the town of Tarim, the defence ministry website September 26 said. Two policemen were killed and three others wounded, while two militants were wounded and captured, it added. The ministry said the militants who were hiding in a house stormed by security forces had formed a cell which “planned to execute terror attacks and bombings in Yemen and abroad”. It said police found explosives and documents including Arab passports, including two belonging to Saudis. It claimed the cell was behind attacks including a suicide car bombing that killed eight Spanish tourists and two Yemeni guides at a historic site in Marib, east of Sanaa, in July 2007 (07/02.07).

The group was also behind a (September, pre-election) foiled attack on oil installations in Marib in 2006, and a suicide car bombing last month in the Hadramaut town of Sayun, in which one policeman was killed and 17 people wounded, it added. Three of the 23 Al Qaeda escapees remain at large, five have been killed and 15 others recaptured (and re-released on loose house arrest).

So many operatives have been accused of the 2006 thwarted pre-election attacks (including both Elbaneh and al-Badawi who are both free), but if it was al-Quayti, it makes a lot of sense when factored in with the mortar attacks, which the group claimed “credit” for and all of which missed (the March 18 mortar attack that missed the US embassy, an April 06 mortar attack on a western residential compound that caused no casualties and little damage, and an April 30 mortar attack on the Italian Embassy in Sana’a that missed and hit a neighboring Customs authority building).

On 4/22/08 three late night explosions rocked Sayoun, Hadramout at the main police center, near a wall and no one was wounded. In July, the same police station was targeted by a suicide bomber, the work of al-Quayti bargaining for (overdue?) releases of al-Qaeda members, although the attack was also claimed by by Islamic Jihad Yemen.

Al-Qaeda operative al-Qauyti and the others were killed in a shoot-out with security similar to the deaths of Fawaz al-Raibi and the Egyptian Diwadier, both of whom are purported to have had close relations with top Yemeni officials. (Read on …)

Anti-Terror Law Still in Parliament

Filed under: Civil Rights, Counter-terror, Parliament, Yemen — by Jane Novak at 4:23 pm on Tuesday, August 12, 2008

A mechanism of diminishing civil rights the opposition charges, allows interception of phone and email

Yemen Observer

The Yemeni Parliament debated the anti-terror law on Sunday 3 August, and referred it to a special committee for further examination before it is returned to the Parliament for a vote. In the debate, members agreed to omit the provisions that contradict the Yemeni constitution.

In the session held on Sunday, the members of parliament (MPs) entrusted a parliamentary committee composed of several parliamentary subcommittees to study the anti-terror draft law and to present an informative report to MPs.

(Read on …)

Yemen Disputes IDP Figures

Filed under: Donors, UN, Saada War, Yemen — by Jane Novak at 4:13 pm on Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Actually the ICRC said in addition to the 15,000 displaced in official camps that they know of, theres thousands more that are beyond reach. With 4000 homes listed by the government as destroyed, one would expect at least 40,000 civilians who have no homes to return to. Of course, the solution to this factual dispute like many in Saada is to open up the region to international aid workers and others.

Al-Sahwa

Sahwa Net- Yemeni official security source has ruled off the accuracy of the International Committee of the Red Cross’s figures about the displaced people of Saada war. The source affirmed that most Saada displaced people came back to their homes in the wake of the president’s announcement of ending Saada war.

ICRC had estimated that 15,500 displaced people are living in difficult conditions in camps near Saada city, and that thousands more are scattered around areas that are hard to access.

Source: Reuters

Aid workers are struggling to reach needy people uprooted by conflict in northern Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Friday. The neutral humanitarian organisation estimated that 15,500 displaced people are living in difficult conditions in camps near Saada city, and that thousands more are scattered around areas that are hard to access.

“The lack of clean water and medical care are particularly serious for the displaced, the sick, the wounded, and isolated communities,” the ICRC said, warning insecurity was preventing its workers from responding to urgent humanitarian needs.

“Except in Saada city and its immediate vicinity, it remains difficult or impossible for the ICRC to operate in the conflict zones of northern Yemen,” it said in a statement.

Yemen Buys Spy Plane

Filed under: Counter-terror, Military, Transportation, Yemen — by Jane Novak at 4:09 pm on Tuesday, August 12, 2008
SAMA first training aircraft arrives to Aden

ADEN, Aug. 10 (Saba)- The first training aircraft model SAMA (2020) operating by one engine arrived on Sunday at Aden International Airport.

Director General of the academy captain Ameen Ghanem said to Saba that this aircraft is one of four aircrafts to be sent to Aden after an agreement with Jordanian manufacturing plant Jordan Aerospace Industries (JAI).

Ghanem mentioned that in the upcoming days the air academy will be launched officially in Aden in the wake of completing all technical processes.

Turkish investors to market JAI’s Sama 2020 training and surveillance aircraft in Turkey

Jordan Times
AMMAN (JT) - Jordan Aerospace Industries (JAI) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Turkish investors to market its Sama 2020 training and surveillance aircraft in Turkey. Following the marketing operations, the company will start a programme to manufacture the surveillance aircraft in Turkey where the aircraft will be equipped with Turkish-made communication and surveillance equipment. The MoU, signed by Turkish businessman Ahmet T. Ozal and JAI Director General and Chief Executive Officer Muayad Al Samaraee, was the outcome of business talks between the two sides, and a visit by Turkish business investors to the company’s plant, located at Queen Alia International Airport. Established in 2001, the JAI is still the only private certified light aircraft manufacturer in the Middle East. 4 August 2008

Only 30 Unhappy People in the South: Defense Minister

Filed under: Biographies, Military, Ministries, Russia, Yemen — by Jane Novak at 4:07 pm on Tuesday, August 12, 2008

26 Sept

Defence Minister Mohammed Nasser Ahmed concluded a successful several-day visit to Russia.
During his visit to Moscow, the Defence Minister held talks with a number of Russian officials on the aspects of cooperation relations between the two countries, particularly in fields of military and Combating and preventing terrorism.
Ahmed also met at Yemen’s embassy in Moscow with Yemeni undergraduates studying in Russian military academies in which he delivered a speech focusing on a number of the national issues and the latest developments witnessed in the homeland, especially the rebellion movement in some districts of Saada governorate.
He confirmed that his country’s government had dealt with the al-Houthi rebellion in accordance with the interests of the country.
For the concern situations in some southern provinces, Defence Minister Mohammed Ahmed considered them “an expression of less than 20 or 30 persons only”.

Attacks in Retaliation for Incareration, Fatwa OK’s Killing Muslims

Filed under: Security Forces, Yemen, attacks, personalities — by Jane Novak at 7:51 pm on Saturday, August 9, 2008

Negotiating with bombs, a predictable result of prior appeasement and collusion
Mareb Press

Al Qaida leader in Yemen threatens to carry out more terrorist attacks

An alleged Al Qaida leader in Yemen threatened this week to carry out more attacks in the country if his brothers were not released from prison. “Your concern is our concern, your sadness is our sadness, you must know, we will never forget you,” said Hamza Al Quaiti in a statement posted on an internet website Tuesday, addressing the men jailed in Yemen on terror charges.

Al Quaiti, one of 23 Al Qaida suspects who broke out of a Sana’a maximum security prison in early 2006.Al Quaiti is believed to be the mastermind of the suicide bombing which targeted the security camp in Sayou, Hadhramout on July 25, killing two and injuring about 20 people. About six men have been arrested so far in Hadhramout in connection with the attack.

The investigations confirmed that Al Qaida was behind that attack and that the suicide bomber was a student in his third year at the college of medicine in Hadhramout. His name is Ahmad Saeed Al Mashjari and his alias is Abu Dujanah Al Hathrami. The investigations have shown that he disappeared from his family 20 days before implementing the suicide bombing operation on July 25.

The latest Al Qaida operations in Yemen coincide with remarkable fatwas published throughout the internet and attributed to Al Qaida members. The fatwas permit the killing of Muslims and striking their oil resources.

The justification, the fatwas say, is that the oil is feeding the enemies, crusaders and the Muslims being killed are cooperating with the enemy. Meanwhile, security authorities have arrested about 30 men wanted for various terrorist acts over the last few days in the southern province of Abyan, according to security sources yesterday.

Yemen Military Expenditure as a Percent of GDP, Triple World Average

Filed under: Military, Yemen, govt budget — by Jane Novak at 7:24 pm on Saturday, August 9, 2008

Military spending is a line item in the budget.

TMQ2

Uganda 2.2% (2006)
Ukraine 1.4% (2005 est.)
United Arab Emirates 3.1% (2005 est.)
United Kingdom 2.4% (2005 est.)
United States 4.06% (2005 est.)
Uruguay 1.6% (2006)
Uzbekistan 2% (2005 est.)
Vanuatu NA
Venezuela 1.2% (2005 est.)
Vietnam 2.5% (2005 est.)
West Bank NA
World roughly 2% of gross world product (2005 est.)
Yemen 6.6% (2006)
Zambia 1.8% (2005 est.)
Zimbabwe 3.8% (2006)

Yemen Hurr Online Editor al-Moiaiad Detained for One Month

Filed under: Civil Rights, Security Forces, Yemen, Yemen-Journalists — by Jane Novak at 7:15 pm on Saturday, August 9, 2008

Yemeni Security Forces has kidnapped the Journalist and Human Rights activist; Loui Al-Moaid on Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. and he was taken to The National Security building. Loui is infected with Hepatitis B virus (active) and we are concerned about his life since he might be tortured severely and there is no health care at all. (Read on …)

4000 Houses, 26 Mosques and 116 Schools Destroyed in Sa’ada War

Filed under: Biographies, Civil Rights, Military, Ministries, Saada War, Yemen, prisons — by Jane Novak at 7:05 pm on Saturday, August 9, 2008

These figures of property damage in Sa’ada were first released in July 2007, so the totals are certainly much higher now after the fifth war. In the mean time, prominent activists including al-Khaiwani remain in jail. Another is Mohammed al-Miftah, who is on a hunger strike after being disappeared by the Interior Ministry.

Sahwa Net – The head of Al-Haq Party’s shoura council Mohammad Miftah has been going on a hunger strike since two months. Miftah who was kidnapped by gunmen belonging to the Interior Ministry on May 21, 2008, said he would not suspend the hunger strike until he is released…It is worth noting that the authorities suspect that Miftah belongs to the al-Houthi movement in Saada.

This is the same Miftah who Amnesty International called a prisoner of conscience. A Zaidi cleric Mohamed Miftah was released in May 2006 apparently after receiving presidential pardons. He had been serving an eight-year prison term.

And Ali Mohsen surfaces…

Mareb Press: The governmental committee assigned to evaluate and count the damages caused by the rebellion in Sa’ada province returned today to the Sa’ada, chaired by the Minister of Local Administration, Abdul Qadeer Hilal, and the Deputy of Prime Minister for Security and Stability affairs, Rashad al-Alimi, Minister of Defense, Mohammed Ahmed, and commander of the Eastern North region, Ali Muhsen al-Ahmer.

The committee will visit military and security units in the province to inspect the condition of soldiers.
Meanwhile, the cabinet studied yesterday the initial report on counting the damages caused by the armed rebellion in Sa’ada province, prepared by the committee chaired by Abdul Qader Hilal, Minister of Local Administration.

The cabinet directed the committee to carry out field visits to Bani Hushiesh district in Sana’a province to evaluate and count damages caused by the rebellion and including its findings in the report to be raised to the government.

A total of 4141 houses, and 88 farms were damaged in Northern Province of Sa’ada during the war between the Al Houthi rebels and the government troops, said a primary official report on Tuesday. The report which was carried by the state-run news agency Saba said some 201 public installations including 116 schools, 36 health utilities, and 26 mosques were also either wholly of partially damaged.

Source: IRIN

A recently formed government committee has faced problems assessing damage to buildings and property in conflict-hit Saada Governorate, northern Yemen.

Committee members had to return to the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, after being intercepted in Mashor village Saada Governorate, by pro-government tribes who said they, not the al-Houthi rebels, should have priority when it came to government assistance. The pro-government tribes did not want the committee to start assessing the damage in “pro-al-Houthi villages”, demanding instead that the government give them priority assistance as a reward for fighting on the government side.

However, a few days later, on 6 August, the committee went back to another part of Saada Governorate on the orders of the Cabinet, to try and complete its assessment.

Minister of Local Administration Abdul-Qader Hilal, who chairs the committee, said: “We will work in accordance with the president’s orders and the state’s strategy to promote peace and reconstruct Saada.”

An interim report by the committee, which was set up on 22 July, said 4,141 houses and 88 farms (including 24 poultry farms) had been damaged in the past two months alone, due to the fighting. It also said 201 public buildings were damaged, including 116 schools, 36 health centres and 26 mosques in the same period.It is unclear to what extent a ceasefire in mid-July - following a deal between President Ali Abdullah Saleh and representatives of the rebel leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi - was holding. Local media have reported continuing sporadic clashes between the two sides.

Meanwhile, local media reports indicate that some army leaders were reportedly not happy when Saleh tried to end the fighting before they could defeat the rebels.

Rebel allegations

A statement by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi’s information office on 3 August said some army leaders were trying to violate the ceasefire deal: unidentified army officers had set up four military checkpoints on the main road to Har Sufian, a pro-al-Houthi area in Amran Governorate. It said there were other violations, which had resulted in the killing of a number of citizens.

In November 2007, a government committee said 3,375 properties had been damaged in five of Saada’s 15 districts, but the assessment was cut short by the fighting.

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands displaced during the clashes in Saada Governorate since 2004. According to the 2004 population census, Saada Governorate has 81,568 houses and a population of some 700,000.

Al-Jihad and Al-Qaeda

Filed under: Counter-terror, Yemen, arrests — by Jane Novak at 8:08 pm on Friday, August 8, 2008

Yemen Observer

The Yemeni security authorities detained more than 30 wanted terrorists most of them affiliated to al-Jihad extremist group in the past few weeks in Abyan province.

Sources in Abyan security authorities said that the arrest of the extremists came after a number of terrorist attacks launched by the terrorist group in Abyan province.

In related issue the security authorities in Hadramout province commenced investigations of six suspects charged of being behind the terrorist attack that targeted a security complex in Sayoun city on July 25.

(Read on …)

Peace Agreement: Abdulmalik Agrees

Filed under: Military, Presidency, Saada War, Yemen — by Jane Novak at 8:36 pm on Friday, August 1, 2008

Yemen Observer

Abdul-Mulak al-Huthi, leader of the rebel tribe in Sa’adah in the north of Yemen confirmed in a letter sent to President Ali Abdullah Saleh his commitment to Saleh’s proposed cease fire, including retreating from mountains hideouts, evacuation from citizens’ houses, ending all armed initiatives and handing over all captives from the army, reported the September 26 website, mouthpiece of the Yemeni army.

(Read on …)

Saudi Muhammad bin Nayif al-Qahtani

Filed under: Yemen, attacks, personalities — by Jane Novak at 7:44 pm on Friday, August 1, 2008

M&C

Sana’a, Yemen - Yemeni police have launched a massive manhunt after 12 suspected al-Qaeda members, including a Saudi, linked to last week’s car bomb attack on a police compound that killed a policeman and wounded 18, official sources said Tuesday.

A suicide attacker rammed an explosive-laden sedan car into the entrance of the police complex in Sayoun of the south-eastern province of Hadhramout on July 25.

(Read on …)

Sa’ada Analysis

Filed under: Saada War, Yemen — by Jane Novak at 7:41 pm on Friday, August 1, 2008
IRIN:

SANAA, 24 July 2008 (IRIN) - Since 2004 hundreds of people have been killed and thousands displaced as a result of fighting between Shia rebels and government forces in the northern governorate of Saada. IRIN takes a look at the background to the conflict, and tries to shed light on why it still smoulders today.

The Shia al-Houthi rebels take their name from their leader, Hussein Badraddin al-Houthi, who was killed in September 2004, and succeeded by his brother, the current leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.

Whereas most lowland Yemenis in the south of the country are Sunni, Yemenis in the northern, more mountainous areas are Shia - specifically, followers of the Zaydi doctrine. (For more on this and the history of the Zaydis in Yemen, click here).

(Read on …)

Drug Dealer Arrested

Filed under: Security Forces, Yemen, drugs — by Jane Novak at 7:38 pm on Friday, August 1, 2008

Yemen Post

The Specialized Penal Prosecution is still investigating with what security sources called the most dangerous drug dealer in Yemen Ali Abdullah bin Hitiqan Al-Saya’ri.

Al-Saya’ri was arrested by security forces last week in Shabwa province and was sent to Sana’a. A security source revealed that armed elements tried to intercept the security vehicles that transferred Al-Saya’ri and both sides exchange fire.

The exchange of fire resulted in killing 7 soldiers as their vehicle rolled over. The armed elements, boarding eight vehicles, fled the scene as soon as reinforcements arrived in the area without being able to release Al-Saya’ri.

The security forces arrested Al-Saya’ri last week in a check-point while he was boarding his Hummer vehicle.

In related news, the Specialized Penal Court received the file of another drug dealer accused of smuggling 715,000 drug pills who was arrested last June in Sana’a International Airport.

In an effort to trick security officials, the defendant hid the drugs inside water heaters. Similarly, 11 Iranian sailors are trailed over possessing and trading in drugs after being arrested early this year in Al-Maharah province.

Though it is not a consuming country, Yemen has turned into a transit country for drugs exported to Gulf countries from the Southeast of Asia. Security guards have seized big quantities of drugs this year in different ways.

Sa’ada

Filed under: Electric, Saada War, Yemen — by Jane Novak at 7:34 pm on Friday, August 1, 2008
Two generators in Saada to reinforce main station power
SABA

[28 July 2008]

SANA’A, July 28 (Saba) - Under the urgent solutions to reconstruct Saada governorate, two power generators amounting to $1.2 million arrived in Saada on Monday to reinforce the power of the main station of Qahzah.

The two generators that generate 3,000 KW of power would contribute to raise the station’s capacity that would activate the development process in the governorate, Saada governor Hassan Mana’a said during his visit to the station.

Mana’a expressed his gratitude to the station administration and staff as they kept on feeding the governorate with power in spite of the exceptional circumstances the governorate has witnessed.

The new generators will enter service in two weeks, the Deputy Minister of Electricity Adel Thamaran said, adding that they would cover 50 percent of the Station’s power deficit.

He said that the ministry has commenced several procedures to strengthen the power capacity in the province such as purchasing spare parts for generators at the station to be backed to service at a cost of $ 750,000 in a month.

The ministry has also put a tender for a project to establish another power station with a capacity of 15 MW at a cost of $ 20 Million, Thamaran said.

IRIN

SANAA, 28 July 2008 (IRIN) - Thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Saada Governorate, northern Yemen, have not been able to return home after their houses were destroyed in recent fighting between government forces and Shia rebels, local sources have said.

The long-running conflict, which started in 2004, has left hundreds dead and thousands displaced.

“There are still thousands displaced because their houses were destroyed,” Salem Mohammed, an IDP in Saada city, told IRIN. He said some IDPs were worried fighting could flare up again and preferred to stay in the six IDP camps which have been set up in and around Saada city, or with host families.

The destruction of farms and infrastructure during the recent fighting, which began in May and lasted 70 days, had also driven many farmworkers from the land, aid agencies said.

Most government officials in Saada were unwilling to comment, but Saada Governor Hassan Manna said 70 percent of the displaced families had returned to their homes over the past few days.

Sporadic clashes

Meanwhile, some people in Saada city told IRIN minor clashes had erupted between followers of Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the Shia rebel leader, and government forces in the mountains.

Al-Houthi’s Information Office on 26 July said the army had opened fire on a pregnant woman and killed her as she tended sheep in Allaf Valley. In a separate statement on 24 July, it said the army had opened fire on displaced families returning to their homes, killing one person and injuring another. The army had also shot dead a child while he was tending sheep in Bani Moaath District, it said.

The Information Office has denied press reports that two Sunni mosques were destroyed by al-Houthi fighters in Dahyan District. According to local media, the two mosques were destroyed on 23 July by armed men. The authorities have not commented on the destruction of the mosques.

Cabinet forms committee

On 22 July the Cabinet formed a committee, chaired by Local Administration Minister Abdul-Qader Hilal, to assess the damage and reconstruction efforts in Saada Governorate.

At a meeting on 27 July the committee formed two teams - one to assess damage to private property, and the other to assess damage to public utilities.

Hilal said development projects, which had stalled since 2004, would start in areas not affected by the fighting, and that reconstruction was contingent on peace and stability.

Yemeni Leader in Afghanistan Killed

Filed under: Other Countries, TI: External — by Jane Novak at 7:05 pm on Friday, August 1, 2008

TFP

Al-Qaeda confirms commander’s loss

PESHAWAR (PAN): The al-Qaeda network, led by elusive Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, confirmed on Friday the death of a leading commander in an American airstrike in southeastern Afghanistan. Ahmed Suleman, a spokesman for the dreaded organisation, said in a statement emailed to Pajhwok Afghan News the prominent Arab commander perished in the American raid in the volatile Paktika province. Several companions of Abu Abdallah al-Shami - who led Arab, Pakistani, Uzbek and Chechen fighters in the troubled region where violence has escalated in recent months - were also eliminated in the attack. Shami’s death came three years after his escape from the Bagram Airbase along with three other hardened militants on July 12, 2005. One of the escapees, Saudi citizen Abu Naser al-Qahtani, was captured a year later while Omar al-Farooq died in a British airstrike earlier. Still at large is Abu Yahya al-Libi, who has been active in recent years, releasing videotaped speeches in praise of al-Qaeda leaders. Calling for jihad against the foreign forces in Afghanistan, the high-profile militant leader often urges youths to swell al-Qaeda ranks. In the statement, al-Qaeda chief in Afghanistan Abu Yazid Muhammad Mustafa resolved to seek revenge on US, Afghan and other foreign forces for the killing Shami and other ‘mujahideen.’ He called the commander’s death a huge loss. “Al Qaeda announces the martyrdom of one of the heroes and field leaders who performed well in facing the modern crusade, our brother Abu Abdallah al-Shami,” the statement said. “God had destined him to become a martyr,’’ the statement added. Al-Yazid asked the slain commander’s family to exercise patience in this hour of grief. “Following his release, Shami resumed jihad with even stronger zeal,” he added. On July 13, Ahmad Suleman said commander Abu al-Hassan al-Saeedi was killed in a clash with Afghan and American forces. Saeedi (48), hailing from Yemen, was chief of al-Qaeda training camps in Paktia and Khost during the jihad against the Soviet forces. Meanwhile, three civilians were killed and another four wounded in a predawn roadside bombing in the southeastern Khost province, a top official said on Friday. In the lawless Helmand province, five people including three Taliban insurgents, a policeman and a resident perished in a gunbattle Thursday evening. The clash erupted in the rebel-infested Nad Ali district. Khost Governor Arsala Jamal told Pajhwok Afghan News the blast happened at 2.00am on the outskirts of the provincial capital. The fatalities included a woman, a child and a driver, said Jamal, who blamed the guerrillas for the explosion. Four people with shrapnel injuries were brought to the Khost Civil Hospital, Dr. Abdul Majeed Mangal confirmed. The injured were in a stable condition, the hospital director added. The Helmand police chief said the Nad Ali battle was triggered by a Taliban attack on a police checkpoint. Also killed in the shootout was a civilian.

Soldiers Wounded in Sa’ada War Demand Compensation

Filed under: Military, Saada War — by Jane Novak at 11:03 am on Saturday, July 26, 2008

This is a good sign that the war is over.

HODEIDAH, NewsYemen

Soldiers differently injured during war in Sa’ada, north of Yemen, on Saturday staged a sit-in in a street in Hodeidah demanding that the government pay them their financial rights and compensations.

Two hundred soldiers blocked the Hodeidah-Sana’a highway and prevented vehicles, especially the government ones, from crossing.

NY’s reporter in Hodeidah reported that demonstrators wanted to meet the governor of Hodeidah and President Saleh. Reporter said that riot police were extensively deployed in front of government institutions in the area but did not try to break up the sit-in.

The military commander Mohammad Mujahid Nameran promised demonstrators their requests will be met, but they refused his promise and decided to go on their protest.

President Saleh last week announced the end of war in Sa’ada and many soldiers started to return from three-month confrontations with rebels that claimed hundreds of lives among forces and rebels and injured many others.

Al Qaeti’s Al Qaeda Group Attack Goals: Fighting Boredom

Filed under: Security Forces, TI: Internal, Yemen, attacks, personalities — by Jane Novak at 10:46 am on Saturday, July 26, 2008

So, the mortars were al Wahishi’s group and achieved crucial goals, and these attacks on security posts and oil pipe lines were al Qaeti’s group and designed to uplift morale only?

News Yemen

Security sources that NewsYemen called for details talked about the al-Qaeda’s proclamation last April claiming its responsibility for throwing three bombs to the same compound. They said that Friday’s attack came after arresting “a dangerous wanted” in Hadramout….

A source close to al-Qaeda group in Yemen told Abwab magazine, the latest issue, that “all attacks that targeted police stations and oil companies last months were carried out by Hamza al-Qaeti’s group that he said is different from Qasem al-Raimi and Naser al-Wahishi. It said that “al-Qaeti is interested to carry out attacks just to keep his group’s element enthusiastic, but al-Raimi and al-Wahishi do not agree to carry out operations unless they obtain crucial goals.”

A senior security source said in a statement to Abwab that “al-Qaeda in Yemen is changing its mechanisms to carry out operations”.

Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for two attacks with mortar rounds on the US Embassy and a housing compound for foreigners in the capital Sana’a last March and April.

In September 2006, explosive-loaded vehicles attacked two oil facilities in Hadramout and Mareb.

Sayoun’s attack was the first on a police station by an explosive vehicle.

In the aftermath of the attack, hundreds of people demonstrated outside the same compound and demanded that authorities withdraw police camps from cities and to compensate victims.

No no no, its a demand for five million dollars and cancel a concert or they will do more scary things, boo! They will annihilate those who attempt to harm (their version of) Islam. Surrender or die.

How sad the suicide bomber was a medical student, meaning he originally wanted to help and heal people but instead he turned into a mass murderer. Because of a concert. How imperialistic these al-Qaeda lunatics are, demanding all of society conform to their thinking and dictates- or die. They are dreamining of their own style of tyranny and everyone is Yemen has to pay the price for those violent and self-rightous dreams.

Islamic Jihad Group claim responsibility for Sayun blast
Sunday 27 July 2008 00ouSun, 27 Jul 2008 00:15:57 +0300 12 AM / Mareb Press

The Organization of Islamic Jihad in Yemen claimed on Friday responsibility for the attack that targeted the Central Security in Say’un city, in Hadramout province.

In the suicide attack, one policeman was killed and 17 people were injured in the suicide attack and about 366 neighbouring houses were affected by the blast.

The organization said in a statement that the attack came to protect Islam from these festivals and concerts performed by some Arab singers in Yemeni cities.

The statement said, “We, the Organization of Islamic Jihad in Yemen, claim responsibility for the martyr attack in Hadramut… this is a lesson to those who might be tempted to harm the religion of Islam,” threatening of annihilate them.

The organization said its next operation would be in Sana’a to annihilate those who are trying to corrupt the minds of the youth through singing and the mixing of sexes.

The statement demanded to cancel the concert of an Egyptian singer, Ihab Tawfeeq, within 48 hours, otherwise the concert “will be turned into crying and wailing.”

The organization demanded the government in the statement to pay five million dollars within 48 hours in return for stopping the terrorist attack which are “terrifying the people.”

On the other hand, a security source said that the investigation could identify the perpetrator of the suicide attack. The sources said the perpetrator of the suicide attack was a former student in medial college in Hadramout Science and Technology University and he is called Ahmed Saeed Omar al-Mashjari.

Al Jund? (Next AAIA…)

July 26 (Reuters) - An al Qaeda-linked group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a police station that killed two people and injured 18 others in Yemen’s Hadramout province.

The attack on Friday was in retaliation for the killing of al Qaeda militants in Yemen, the Yemen Soldiers Brigades said in a statement on a Web site often used by al Qaeda.

In Friday’s attack, a car tried to enter the police complex but exploded after it was stopped at the gate, killing the attacker and a police guard.

Earlier this year, gunmen killed two Belgian tourists in the Hadramout region in an attack the government said was believed to have been the work of al Qaeda.

Ok so thats three missing mortar attacks (Sana’a- US embassy, housing compound, Italian embassy), three exploding car attacks (Hadramout, Marib- thwarted attacks on oil facilities 2006, tourists at the temple Marib 2007 and police station in Hadramout 2008,), and several non-lethal, sometimes off-hour, bombings of buildings, oil lines and security patrols. Ok I’m getting the fractured feeling.

Update: YO: skepticism over claims of responsibility,

Al-Tawheed battalions affiliated to the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization announced accountability of launching the terrorist attack that targeted the central security camp and security complex in Sayoun city in Hadramout governorate in the south east of Yemen at the early hours of last Friday.

News Yemen website stated it received a statement issued by the al-Tawheed battalions claiming they have launched the terrorist attack to announce their rejection for the carnivals and festivals, threatening they would launch another attack in Sana’a if the Sana’a Summer tourist festival would not be cancelled.

The statement released on Saturday expressed rejection for such festivals which the statement said have been spoiling Yemeni female kids through involving them in singing and dancing activities and mixing them with males. The statement added that this operation came within the frame of defending Islam.

The death toll of the terrorist attack has risen to five persons killed and 15 others injured. Two of the critically injured were rushed to Sana’a on Saturday. The Yemeni security authorities believed the attacker was killed in the blast and that the attack was launched by a suicide car bomb.

According to News Yemen website the persons from al-Jihad organization that sent the statement have also demanded US$ five millions to stop launching similar attacks.

Some analysts when read the statement and the demands dismissed that al-Qaeda or al-Jihad organizations were behind the attack or was the one that sent the statement.

The analysts stated that al-Qaeda never asks for ransoms or money and that it has been always focusing on the political oratory rather than such art and tourism festivals.

In a related issue some security sources revealed that a truck loaded with explosives was detained in al-Alam area located in the road linking between Abyan and Aden governorates while trying to get to Aden city yesterday.

In response to the threat for cancelling the activities of Sana’a Summer Tourism Festival, Fathia Hameedaldeen principal of al-Nizari girls school in the capital Sana’a said her school girls have been contributing in the festival, displaying 25 folkloric female dresses representing all the 22 governorates of Yemen. “We strongly condemn such threats that we believe were issued by people who have been trying to curb any development or tourism campaigns that aim at boosting tourism and improving the economic situations in the country, “said Hameedaldeen. However she said she and her school girls don’t care about such threats and would continue displaying their folkloric dresses according to the festival’s schedule.

“I don’t believe that Islam prohibits 10 years old girls to display dresses or show their faces publicly,” she added. She affirmed that all the participating girls were chosen carefully making sure their ages are young. “We know our religion and our traditions well so we have never and would never ever violate our religion or tradition rules,” said Hameedaldeen.

The ten year old girls will stand up to them if no one else will.

Yemeni Al Qaeda Leader Makes Deal with Afghan Terrorists

Filed under: Other Countries, TI: External, Yemen, personalities — by Jane Novak at 1:19 pm on Thursday, July 24, 2008

From the Times Online, via Weasel Zippers:

Dr Williams said: “The Anbar Awakening (in Iraq) really broke the hearts of a lot of al-Qaeda followers who saw the jihad in Iraq in black-and-white terms. Sunni Arab al-Qaeda were pushed out by fellow Sunni Arabs.

“Iraq is seen as a defeat. The image of Afghanistan is seen as a more pristine jihad.”

The Times has learnt from several insurgency sources that Abu Yusuf Saleh al-Yemeni, an emissary for al-Qaeda, met the leadership of Hizb-e-Islami, the Afghan insurgent group, in Nuristan province on the eastern border in autumn 2007. The two sides agreed to work together. Al-Yemeni now leads a band of al-Qaeda fighters alongside Hizb-e-Islami fighters, as well as Taleban and Pakistani militants from bases in Nuristan.

Money Laundering Bill Still Stalled in Parliament

Filed under: Counter-terror, Parliament, TI: Internal, Yemen, banking — by Jane Novak at 1:13 pm on Thursday, July 24, 2008

The US financial assessment team found efforts to counter money laundering are in their infancy, or non-existent. Parliament is stalling the bill because it will restrict the transfer of charity funds and/or to “legitimate resistance” like Hamas.

SANA’A, July 23 (Saba) - Plans the Yemeni government has taken to fight money laundering and terrorism finance and preventing the establishment of unlicensed currency exchange companies helped revive the currency exchange during the last ten years, a report has said.

The report issued by the Yemen Central Bank noted that the exchange companies number has more than doubled in a decade. This number increased from 210 to 528. The improvement came as the government introduced a new law for combating money laundering and terrorist finance that is yet to be approved by the parliament.

According to the report, the Yemen Central Bank makes it compulsory for exchange companies to present detailed information about their banking services. The bank increased these companies capital to YR 20 million to increase their annual fees to YR 1 million and the individual institutions to YR 150.000.

864 Southern Political Prisoners, and 3000 arrested for the Saada War

Filed under: Civil Rights, Saada War, South, Targeting, Yemen, prisons — by Jane Novak at 1:06 pm on Thursday, July 24, 2008

There are thousands of political prisoners, preventative detentions or arbitrary arrests relating to the Sa’ada war. Witness Testimony, Click Here Today IRIN reported, “Abdul-Rashid al-Faqih, head of Hiwar Forum, a local non-governmental organisation (NGO), said about 3,000 people had been arrested by the authorities for supporting al-Houthi. Of these, 500 detainees are known. The rest are unidentified because their families are scared of reporting their fate. Their whereabouts are unknown, he told IRIN.”

About 3000 sounds right and then there are the southern political prisoners, Al-Sahwa:

Sahwa Net-Several activists have stressed the importance of opposing the arbitrary arrests, affirming the illegality of what is named the State Security Court in which southern leaders and activists are trying.

Mohammad al-Mikhlafi , head of the Yemeni Observatory for Human Rights, said that the political prisoners number amounted 864 from March up to-date, pointing out that all of them are from the southern provinces except the comedian Fahad al-Qarni.

He added in a seminar organized by YOHR on Wednesday in Sana’a that such trials ignite hatred against the unification particularly when many political figures are among those who are being prosecuted. Al-Mikhlafi said that the judiciary became an opponent of journalists, indicating that journalists are prevented from attending public hearings and prosecuted.

Sa’ada Residents Have No Homes to Return To

Filed under: A-INFRASTRUCTURE, Donors, UN, Saada War — by Jane Novak at 12:16 pm on Sunday, July 20, 2008

The war that al-Khaiwani wrote about, which got him imprisoned, is supposedly over. The Yemeni president called the rebel leader and its done. Hopefully, they will release al-Khaiwani now that everybody is friends again.

The Yemeni military’s extensive bombing campaign over the last four years has destoyed homes, villages, and infrastructure including schools and water facilities in Yemen’s northern Sa’ada province. The regime is currently calling for the nearly 100,000 people who were driven from their homes by the fighting to return. Quite tragically, many have no place to go anymore. But if it is safe for the people to return then it must be safe enough for the Yemeni government to finally allow access to international aid organizations. Both Doctors Without Borders and the ICRC have deemed the region a humanitarian disaster; however, they haven’t been able to get in to render medicine, food, water and shelter to the displaced families. From Yemen Online.

“End” of War in Yemen: Displaced Residents of Harf Sufian to Return Home
YemenOnline- July 20, 2008- The gubernatorial leaders of Amran met to discuss the return of those displaced by the war against between the government and the Houthi Rebels. Led by the deputy governor of Amran, Saleh Abu Uja, the meeting birthed a committee that would facilitate the return of the displaced citizens. The return of the residents, however, will not be possible without rebuilding the damaged town. The war had left Harf Sufian demolished, as described by many. It was a critical battle ground and an important location that was fought over repeatedly throughout the war. It was captured and recaptured by both sides on several incidents. President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced an end to hostilities on Thursday. However, even after the cease fire fighting still continued in Sadah, casting doubt on how long the peace would last. The rehabilitation of Harf Sufian has symbolic significance. This healing of the country’s war wounds is an important step forward in the peace process.

Saleh Calls al-Houthi, Ends Sa’ada War

Filed under: Presidency, Saada War — by Jane Novak at 4:07 pm on Saturday, July 19, 2008

I hope its true and that the release of al-Khaiwani is part of the deal:

Mareb Press: The President Ali Abdullah Saleh said that the war between the governmental troops and Al Houthi rebels has ended and it would never come back again.

“The war which was in some districts of Sa’ada has ended three days ago, and it will never come back again,” Saleh said.

In the first reaction, Yahya al-Houthi, currently residing in Germany, said in an interview with al-Jazeera satellite channel, President Saleh and his brother Abdul-Malik have agreed in telephone calls to end war in Sa’ada.

“The reason for ending the war is that we (al-Houthis) have severely blockaded the 17th militar infantry devision brigades under the leadership of brigadier Abdul Azeezal-Shahari, in Sa’ada for two months. So, the president asked for stopping war,” he added.

Yahya said it is President Saleh who always “begins and ends wars.” However, al-Houthi said that ceasefire this time is more serious.

He said “this ceasefire will continue just if the state army stops attack on people and people can equally get their rights. To continue this truce, we need peace, serious and responsible dialogue and we need to implement Doha deal”, said al-Houthi.

Local sources said that some clashes are still taken place in some of Sa’ada districts between the army and al-Houthi rebels.

Yemenis Murdering In Iraq

Filed under: Al-Qaeda, Iraq, TI: External — by Jane Novak at 2:50 pm on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Of course, performing “jihad” (a/k/a/ murder) in Iraq is legal in Yemen. The Yemeni judical system doesn’t even take into account if the returning “jihaddists” killed innocent Iraqi civilians or Iraqi police. So murder abroad carries no legal sanction in Yemen no matter who gets killed even kids.

I’m not posting the link to the following but it reminds me of the article by the Iraqi journalist who was on a Yemenia flight to Syria. He wrote there were a over a dozen jihaddists on the flight openly talking about going to fight in Iraq. That was after the National Security took over jursidiction of the airports from the Political Security in November 2006.

Al-Furqan media, the mouthpiece of the ISI has now released a new 41-minute video featuring a number of istishahadah (martyrdom attacks) carried out by foreign mujahideen in Iraq. The video is the third of a series called “Knights of Martyrdom.”

A major part of the video has been dedicated to a spectacular attack that destroyed the Badosh bridge, Northern Mosul, in May 2007. The attack was carried out by a Yemeni mujahideen going by the name Abu Huzeifa. He drove his explosives-packed truck past the security post at the entrance of the bridge, and detonated it about 150 meters further. The explosion was massive, causing the bridge to collapse. According to al Qaeda foreign mujahideens’ records released earlier this year by CTC, Abu Huzeifa was an arm-dealer from the city of Taez in Yemen. He arrived in Iraq via Syria, and registered as a martyrdom seeker on entering the country. He was 28 years old when he carried out the attack.

This from the CTC is also interesting. Its information from captured documents about assorted foreign fighters in Iraq. You’ll notice some patterns. I’m surpirsed they published so much personal information. There’s a lot more Yemenis listed at the link, this is just a sample. Its really sad that all these young guys get brainwashed into thinking their greatest contribution in life and to the world is to kill themselves.

Name: Raffat Abd Allah Al Amoudi
Alias: Abu-Azzam
Address: Yemen- Aden
Telephone:
Birth Date: 1982
Arrival Date: //
Contribution: //
Sake keeping: passport/ Identification/ Watch
Coordinator: Abu Mussab
Where do you know the coordinator from: Through a brother came back from Iraq
How did you arrive to Syria? Airplane
Stages of arrival to Iraq: Egypt, Syria

Document Summary: This document contains personal information of three individuals, one fighter and two suicide bombers. The first was Hamad ‘Abdallah al-Mutayri, also known as Abu-Hajar, a suicide bomber from Saudi. The second was Sami Ahsan al-Jufi, also known as Abu-Asid al-Jufi, a fighter from Yemen. And the third was al-Mutawakkil ‘Ala-Allah Mahdi, also known as Abu-al-Fida’, a suicide bomber from Yemen.
(Page 1 of 1)
Name: Hamad ‘Abdallah al-Mutayri
Alias: Alu Hajar [TC: they misspelled it, instead of Abu-Hajar]
Country: Saudi Arabia
Telephone: House/ 009664545217
Facilitator: —————
Occupation: Suicide bomber
Deposits: Passport
Donations: A watch/ 400 USD
Name: Sami Ahsan al-Jufi
Alias: Abu-Asid al-Jufi
Country: Yemen/ San’a’
Telephone: His brother/ 00967733821512- House/ 00967274750
Facilitator: ‘Abd-al-Hay
Occupation: Fighter
Deposits: Passport/ Identification card
Donations: A watch
Name: al-Mutawakkil ‘Ala-Allah Mahdi
Alias: Abu-al-Fida’
Country: Yemen/ San’a’
Telephone: House/ 009671544144
Facilitator: al-Haram al-Jurbani/ Salim al-Dulaymi
Occupation: Suicide bomber
Deposits: Passport
Donations: 240 USD
[End of Translation]

(Read on …)

Conflict Renews in Sa’ada War; 27,000 Jihaddists to Fight

Filed under: Civil Unrest, Religious, Saada War, Saudi Arabia — by Jane Novak at 12:46 pm on Thursday, July 17, 2008

There was a two day lull. From the Yemen Times:

Alleged human rights abuses in Bani Hushaish

The Yemeni Socialist Party-affiliated Aleshtaraki.net reports that the Yemeni army has committed human rights abuses against several residents of Bani Hushaish, located east of Sana’a. It quoted local sources as saying that the army attacked Beit Al-Aghrabi village with heavy weaponry, although Houthi gunmen withdrew from the village and stopped fighting, according to a tribal mediation.

“The army destroyed residents’ homes and property before raiding the village. [Army personnel] evicted residents, including women and children, to a nearby school,” Bani Hushaish sources say, adding that the soldiers beat, badmouthed and insulted citizens.

According to the same sources, female soldiers from counterterrorism units deployed in the area arrested numerous women from Beit Al-Aghrabi village on suspicion of supporting Houthi gunmen. They further noted that the Yemeni army has arrested the majority of the village’s male residents under age 50.

In a statement published by state-run Al-Thawrah daily newspaper on Wednesday, an official government source in Bani Hushaish denied the authenticity of the report by Aleshteraki.net, clarifying that the Yemeni army is searching for wanted fugitives and that no human rights abuses have been committed.

Various sources allege that several army commanders, tribal leaders and regional forces have intervened to foil the mediation efforts that played a notable role in ending the war, unblocking the Sana’a-Sa’ada Highway, releasing besieged troops and transporting food supplies to the war-affected governorate.

Regarding the proposed “Popular Army” to be comprised of 27,000 recruits under the command of the Hashid tribe to fight Houthis, tribal sources affirm that the establishment of this army is underway.

In its most recent issue, Al-Ahale independent weekly newspaper blamed the Saudi Special Committee, chaired by Emir Sultan Bin Abdulaziz, for establishing and funding what it described as the “Janjawid Army,” hinting at the prospective popular army.

The weekly continued, reporting that an unnamed Saudi committee member recently visited Yemen to meet with tribal leaders, encouraging them to back the government in its war against Houthis.

Worries over potential sectarian conflict

A religious forum including Salafi members and tribesmen was held Tuesday, chaired by Sheikh Abdulmajid Al-Zindani, rector of Al-Iman Islamist University and also on the U.S. terror list. At the forum, participants agreed to contribute to the gathering of tribesmen under the name of a “Popular Army” to fight against Houthis, who belong to the Zaidi Islamic sect.

Reliable sources report that Salafi leaders promised to gather thousands of well-trained jihadists, most of whom are called “Yemeni Afghans,” to back the Yemeni army in its fight against Zaidi Houthis in Sa’ada and other areas.

The Yemeni government’s intent to form a religious committee in collaboration with Salafis to fight against Zaidi Houthis has raised sharp controversy among all of those concerned, who predict that doing so will create a new crisis, as well as sectarian and political conflicts that may harm Yemen’s social fabric.

Various social figures believe that establishing such a committee with religious powers constitutes a threat to personal and civil freedoms, noting that it also creates obstacles to Yemen’s emergency democracy.

Assassinations and Reprisals in al-Jawf

Filed under: Saada War, Security Forces, Tribes — by Jane Novak at 11:12 am on Thursday, July 17, 2008

Imagine how messy its going to get if the “citizens’ militia” comes to fruition.

Sana’a, Yemen - Gunmen loyal to a Shiite rebel group killed a senior regional official in an ambush in the north-western Yemeni al-Jawf province on Wednesday, local sources said.

The sources told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa that Abdul-Wahab al- Dhamin, the deputy governor of al-Jawf, and three tribal chieftains accompanying him were killed after the gunmen opened fire on al- Dhamin’s car.

The attackers ambushed the car near al-Zahir district of al-Jawf, some 195 kilometres north west of the capital Sana’a, they said.

The assassination of al-Dhamin was likely a direct retaliation of the killing Abdu Abu-Rass, a leading member of the rebel group, in al-Jawf earlier in the day.

Abu-Rass and one of his body guards were ambushed by armed tribesmen in al-Zahir district.

In a separate ambush, two soldiers were killed and four others injured in the Barat district of al-Jawf Wednesday, local officials said, adding that the attackers were also Shiite rebels.

Sa’ada War Ended Three Days Ago: Saleh

Filed under: Presidency, Saada War — by Jane Novak at 11:09 am on Thursday, July 17, 2008

I wish it was true but the machine guns are still audible from the capital, Sana’a. This is at least the fifth declaration of the end of the war since 2005

Saada war ended three days ago, Pres. Saleh declares

SANA’A, July 17 (Saba) - President Ali Abdullah Saleh declared here Thursday the end of the war in Saada province, the north of Yemen.</