Analysts Consider Yemen Next MainBattleground for America’s War on Terror
On Jan. 2, Commander of U.S. Central Command, David Petraeus, and Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh held a talk to discuss cooperation in striking back against al-Qaida.
At the same time, the U.K. and the U.S. announced an increase in aid to Yemen. Analysts believe that after Afghanistan, Yemen will become another main battlefield in the U.S.’s War on Terror.
Cooperation Discussions
Petraeus and Saleh emphasized bilateral cooperation regarding security and military spheres.
Yemen News Agency reported that Petraeus praised Yemen’s “successful attack against al-Qaida,” promising that the U.S. would continue to support Yemen’s anti-terror campaign.
The same day, Petraeus passed on a message from U.S. President Barack Obama to Saleh. The contents of that letter have not been released.
On Jan. 1, Obama became the first to increase cooperation with the Yemen government, “to train and equip their security forces, to share anti-terrorist intelligence in the fight against al-Qaida.”
Al-Qaida’s Arabian Peninsula branch in Yemen claimed responsibility for the failed attempt by Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to blow up a U.S. Northwest Airlines flight headed to Detriot on Dec. 25, 2009.
Increasing Aid
The Yemeni government’s military is waging war against three anti-government armed forces: the Shiite Houthis in the Northern governorates of Sa’dah and Amran; Southern separatists, and al-Qaida in the Central and Eastern regions.
Across the sea in Somalia, the “Youth Party” anti-government forces stated on Jan. 1 that they will dispatch armed individuals to Yemen to fight with al-Qaida. Western countries believe controlling Somali and southern extremist groups al-Qaida and the Youth Party will be [closely] linked.
Some analysts say the U.S. and other Western countries are concerned that Yemen is becoming the new headquarters for al-Qaida. As such, [these countries] are seeking to include Yemen’s military cooperation in the effort to eradicate local al-Qaida [forces].
Petraeus stated that in 2010 the U.S. will increase security aid to Yemen to an amount surpassing the former annual $70 million by two-fold.
On Jan. 3, the British Prime Minister’s office announced that Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Obama are in agreement and will provide financial assistance to small anti-terrorism police units in Yemen. The announcement did not disclose a specific amount of aid.
At the same time, the U.K. and the U.S. decided to provide support to Yemen’s coastal force, preventing Somali [anti-government forces, i.e. the Youth Party and other al-Qaida supporters] from infiltrating Yemen.
In January, Brown is scheduled to meet with a number of important allies and senior officials in London to discuss a new plan of action to fight terrorism.
Hastening the Fight Back
According to Yemen Foreign Minister, Abu Bakr al-Qirbi, there are approximately 300 al-Qaida member groups operating inside Yemen’s borders.
Separately, on Dec. 17, 2009 and Dec. 24, 2009, the Yemen army carried out surprise attacks on al-Qaida hiding places in the Central region and capital city Sana‘a, killing more than 60 armed men.
Three Yemen security officials stated that on the Jan. 1, the government’s military deployed an additional 100 soldiers to the two Eastern provinces illegally seized by al-Qaida. The Yemen government is simultaneously strengthening its security measures along its coastal borders.
Al-Qirbi said the Yemen government will not tolerate the existence of terrorist groups within its borders and will crack down on any attempt to undermine Yemen stability.
At the same time, the U.K. and the U.S. announced an increase in aid to Yemen. Analysts believe that after Afghanistan, Yemen will become another main battlefield in the U.S.’s War on Terror.
Cooperation Discussions
Petraeus and Saleh emphasized bilateral cooperation regarding security and military spheres.
Yemen News Agency reported that Petraeus praised Yemen’s “successful attack against al-Qaida,” promising that the U.S. would continue to support Yemen’s anti-terror campaign.
The same day, Petraeus passed on a message from U.S. President Barack Obama to Saleh. The contents of that letter have not been released.
On Jan. 1, Obama became the first to increase cooperation with the Yemen government, “to train and equip their security forces, to share anti-terrorist intelligence in the fight against al-Qaida.”
Al-Qaida’s Arabian Peninsula branch in Yemen claimed responsibility for the failed attempt by Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to blow up a U.S. Northwest Airlines flight headed to Detriot on Dec. 25, 2009.
Increasing Aid
The Yemeni government’s military is waging war against three anti-government armed forces: the Shiite Houthis in the Northern governorates of Sa’dah and Amran; Southern separatists, and al-Qaida in the Central and Eastern regions.
Across the sea in Somalia, the “Youth Party” anti-government forces stated on Jan. 1 that they will dispatch armed individuals to Yemen to fight with al-Qaida. Western countries believe controlling Somali and southern extremist groups al-Qaida and the Youth Party will be [closely] linked.
Some analysts say the U.S. and other Western countries are concerned that Yemen is becoming the new headquarters for al-Qaida. As such, [these countries] are seeking to include Yemen’s military cooperation in the effort to eradicate local al-Qaida [forces].
Petraeus stated that in 2010 the U.S. will increase security aid to Yemen to an amount surpassing the former annual $70 million by two-fold.
On Jan. 3, the British Prime Minister’s office announced that Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Obama are in agreement and will provide financial assistance to small anti-terrorism police units in Yemen. The announcement did not disclose a specific amount of aid.
At the same time, the U.K. and the U.S. decided to provide support to Yemen’s coastal force, preventing Somali [anti-government forces, i.e. the Youth Party and other al-Qaida supporters] from infiltrating Yemen.
In January, Brown is scheduled to meet with a number of important allies and senior officials in London to discuss a new plan of action to fight terrorism.
Hastening the Fight Back
According to Yemen Foreign Minister, Abu Bakr al-Qirbi, there are approximately 300 al-Qaida member groups operating inside Yemen’s borders.
Separately, on Dec. 17, 2009 and Dec. 24, 2009, the Yemen army carried out surprise attacks on al-Qaida hiding places in the Central region and capital city Sana‘a, killing more than 60 armed men.
Three Yemen security officials stated that on the Jan. 1, the government’s military deployed an additional 100 soldiers to the two Eastern provinces illegally seized by al-Qaida. The Yemen government is simultaneously strengthening its security measures along its coastal borders.
Al-Qirbi said the Yemen government will not tolerate the existence of terrorist groups within its borders and will crack down on any attempt to undermine Yemen stability.
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