Yemeni security forces have apprehended thirty terrorist suspects over the course of ten days as part of a massive security sweep.
Security authorities launch massive sweep for al-Qaeda
Abdul-Aziz Oudah, Yemen Observer, Feb 3, 2009
The Ministry of Interior has announced a comprehensive campaign against all suspected al-Qaeda hideouts, following last week’s declaration of the appointment of Nasser al-Wahishi, who has been wanted by Yemeni security since 2006, as the new Amir for Arabia. His compatriots include the former Saudi Guantanamo detainees, Saeed al-Shihri and Mohammed al-Aofi, who escaped Saudi Arabia several months ago.
The manager of the security section at the Ministry of Interior, General Mohammed al-Qosi, said security authorities are observing sites where the organization is likely to be hiding, indicating that public cooperation has been helpful in locating these hideouts. Al-Qosi added that the al-Qaeda threat is not something new in Yemen, but rather has been present for many years.
Al-Qosi indicated the strong security coordination and exchange of information on all levels regarding anti-terrorism operations between Riyadh and Sana’a.
He announced the possibility of capturing the organization’s new members at any time, saying they chose Yemen because of its geographical nature, as the remote mountainous areas can serve as an effective hiding place.
Sana’a declared Saturday that security forces had captured two al-Qaeda members, including one Kuwaiti national, in a security campaign in Marib.
Local sources said that al-Tharba’s father has lived in Marib for about ten years, where he owns land, farms and camels.
The authority’s comprehensive security campaign came days after the threats made by the new al-Qaeda leader. In a related issue, the Ministry of Interior also announced that 5 wanted men were arrested in al-Baidha and Taiz governorates.
The Ministry of Interior added that three wanted individuals were caught in Rada’ district in al-Baidha as they were fleeing their hideout following the launch of an intensified security campaign. Kalashnikov rifles were found in their possession.
The ministry added on their website that another two individuals were captured in al-Taizia area in Taiz, adding that they are wanted in connection with different security issues.
Within ten days, the security campaign managed to arrest 25-30 suspects in several governorates. In another development, Yemeni security authorities said they had obtained confessions from al-Qaeda members indicating they had received foreign support to carry out terrorist attacks in Yemen.
The source also said that a thousand troops had been deployed on the country’s borders to prevent al-Qaeda elements entering from neighboring countries.
Mutamar.net, the ruling party’s website quoted a security source as saying that thousands of troops have been deployed along the country’s borders for fear of expected al-Qaeda infiltrations into the country.
A source speaking on condition of anonymity said the measures followed information gathered from some Saudi al-Qaeda elements captured while trying to infiltrate into the country to join their colleagues in Yemen.
Sources have revealed that al-Qaeda suspects, including Saudis still under investigation have confessed to receiving overseas logistical support in order to target foreign interests, including the American embassy, the British embassy and Yemeni tourist sites.