Yemeni Jihadist movement gaining ground against government
YemenOnline. March 07 - Yemen’s government has been forced to strike a delicate balance in dealing with extremists, making arrests and killing top militant leaders to appease its western backers, but without biting too deep into the ranks of the jihadists who fought with the president in the 1994 civil war that pitted north against south. Their ranks have swollen because of Israeli’s recent war in the Gaza Strip, the government has released about 100 militants from jail and Saudi and Yemeni fighters recently announced that they have merged operations. “This announcement shows al Qa’eda is now stronger for it is recruiting new young jihadists. No organisation could announce its objectives and presence in such a blatant way unless it is powerful enough,” said Saeed Obaid al Jamhi, the author of al Qa’eda: Establishment, Ideological Background and Contiguity. Mr al Jamhi criticised the Yemeni government for being weak and ineffective. “The government response to this announcement has not been sufficient. It is making deals with old militants who have no ground in the new organisation.” Al Qa’eda has regrouped since the death of Abu Ali al Harithi, the Yemen cell’s leader, killed in a US drone attack in 2003. Its revival follows the escape from jail of 23 militants who have begun fighting again, said Abdulellah Haidar, a journalist who specialises in al Qa’eda and Islamic movements. Yemen also has other jihadists groups, including Aden-Abyan Islamic army in the southern governorate of Abyan. Source: The National
|
