British Embassy in Sana’a reopens

The British Embassy in Sana’a reopened on Sunday after remaining closed for two weeks following a suicide attack on its ambassador in Sana’a late last month, confirmed Chantel Mortimer, the Second Secretary for political, press and projects at the British Embassy in Sana’a.

The UK embassy had closed down on April 26 following the failed suicide attack against the convoy of the British Ambassador, Timothy Torlot, in the Sheraton area of Sana’a.

The suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt fastened to his body, killing no one except himself. The attacker was identified as Othman Ali Noaman al-Selwi, 22, who graduated from Ibn al-Ameer Institute where he had been taught religious classes by religious fanatics of the Salafi sect.
 
Al-Qaeda did not claim responsibility for the attack, but Yemeni security said the bombing bore the hallmarks of al-Qaeda.

Security forces have arrested dozens of al-Qaeda affiliates. Among them are seven detainees who have close ties with Othman, the suicide bomber. Yemeni security forces are working closely with the embassy to ensure its security, Ms. Mortimer added.

Yemen witnessed a similar failed suicide attack which targeted the Korean ambassador while on his way to the airport on March 18, 2009. The attack, like al-Selwi’s, hurt nobody except the bomber.

Related Content

•  Yemen conducts non-competitive but necessary and historic elections
•   Leader of al-Qaeda in Yemen kisses and bids final farewell to slain mid-level leader
•   Yemen’s JMP leader attacks Islamist Party overall conduct
•   Seven al-Qaeda fighters killed in South Yemen
•  Yemenis determined on elections as the only way for power transfer
•   US drone and missile attacks killed 10 al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen, top leader survived
•   Yemen determines on elections as the only way for power transfer
•   Yemen President clears airs with his own tribe before flying to US for treatment
•   UNICEF officials: half a million children in Yemen are likely to die from malnutrition
•   Yemeni-Turkish medical conference starts in Sana’a