Yemeni security breaks new terrorist cell

Security sources revealed Saturday that large-scale operations to hunt down terrorist cells were carried out by security authorities resulting in the arrest of 35 people in a number of governorates across Yemen. The operations were carried out based on security information obtained during investigations with members of the uprooted terrorist cells. Members were arrested in governorates of Sana’a, Hadramout, and Abyan. 

The security sources indicated that the 35 members are affiliated with al-Qaeda and had been involved in terrorist acts that took place in Yemen in the past few months. Based on that information, it was affirmed that the General Legal Prosecutor of Yemen issued arrest warrants on those 35 captured. 

Governor of Hadramout, Salem Al-Khanbashi, said security authorities in Hadramout have discovered a second terrorist cell in Mukalla. One member was arrested just one day after the successful security operation in Tarim where an al-Qaeda terrorist cell was raided leaving five of its members killed and two detained. 

According to statements of the Governor of Hadramout, security sources managed to identify the terrorist cell members. An operation is currently underway for their capture.

The Vice-President of the Yemeni Republic, Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, had earlier revealed that the terrorist cells were planning to attack several economic and religious sites including the shrine of Prophet Hud in Hadramout. An official said authorities seized explosives, ammunition, a vehicle, military uniforms and women’s clothing at the militants’ hideout in Mukalla.

In leads connected with the terrorist’s cells in Mukalla, police discovered terrorist efforts in the town of Tarim last Tuesday. A prominent Al-Qaeda fugitive was among five suspected militants killed in a shootout when police stormed a house.  Al-Qaeda member Hamza al-Quaiti was killed and two militants were also wounded and captured. Al-Quaiti had issued a statement last week threatening to launch large terrorist operations unless al-Qaeda members in the Yemeni Political Security prison were released.  Two policemen were killed and five others were wounded during the operation. The security authorities also uncovered large amounts of weapons, explosives and devices that were going to be used to prepare car-bombs in ‘Edeed Hasat Al-Maqateel area. 

The 26 September website published that among the seized materials police found three passports, one of them belonging to Ahmad Saeed Omar Al-Mashjari, who launched the suicide operation at the security complex in Sayoun last month. Two other passports belong to Saudi citizens named Badah Maghas Bin Badah Al-Qahtani and Waleed Bin Radhi Bin Smeleel Al-Utaibi. 

The security sources said that more than 50 large sacks loaded with gun powder and large amounts of TNT explosives as well as other bomb making materials were found in the hide out. In addition to this, other weapons including grenades and mortars were seized. The sources added that the police also found a number of computers, valuable documents and terrorist plots that targeted not only Yemen but all throughout the Middle East.

The security sources said that they uncovered information saying that the Tarim cell was involved in the terrorist operations that targeted the security complex in Sayoun last month. The information also confirmed they were responsible for the attack on the girls’ school adjacent to the US Embassy last October and the Customs Institute in Sana’a later that year.  

Other large amounts of weapons, grenades, RPG’s, mortar shells and explosives were also reported found at the hide out of a second cell discovered in Mukalla.

Al-Quaiti is one of the fugitives that fled from the Political Security Prison of Yemen in February 2006. The security source said that al-Quaiti is the fifth person to be killed among the 23 al-Qaeda members that fled from the Political Security Prison. Security sources added that 15 of the fugitives were detained. The three remaining fugitives are: Nasir Al-Wahaishi, Qasim Al-Raimi and Mohammed Al-Umdah. 

On this respect the President of the Yemen Republic, Ali Abdullah Saleh, conducted a phone call with the Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul-aziz, last Monday, during which he acquainted him on the terrorist plots targeting Saudi Arabia and Yemen.   Interior Minster, Mutahar Al-Masri, argued on Wednesday for security sources to double efforts in high combat readiness and high alert for deterring terrorists. 

Related Content

•  Somali pirates free hijacked Yemeni cargo ship
•  Zandani declares solidarity ship to break Gaza blockade
•  Capital punishment expected for murderer of Sayoun judge
•  Yemeni child bride, winner of Glamour's woman of the year accuses her lawyer of corruption
•  Political rallies met by strong opposition - and strong apathy
•  Hamdan Released to Yemeni Authorities
•  Prime Minister launches Arab fisheries conference
•  Yemeni athletes win 47 medals at the Dubai Special Olympics
•  AL-Salem Jews transfer electoral home to Sana'a
•  Fears over electoral registration process increase due to disruptions by demonstrators