US embassy cable - 04SANAA545

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000545 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2014 
TAGS: PTER, PREL, YM 
SUBJECT: DHAMAR MOSQUE ATTACK NOT ANTI-WESTERN TERRORISM 
 
REF: FBIS 060914Z MAR 04 
 
Classified By: DCM Alan G. Misenheimer for Reasons 1.5 (b,d) 
 
1.  (C)  Post confirmed with Ministry of Interior (MOI) that 
the mosque attack in Dhamar 3/5 has no/no relation to 
anti-Western or other terrorism.  As reported in local and 
international press (ref), Abdallah Ahmed Yahia Zeid Ghassan 
killed five persons and injured 30 when he attacked a Dhamar 
mosque with two grenades and small arms fire.  He 
subsequently killed himself.  MOI did not find any letters, 
literature or any personal connections that suggest the 
incident is related to terrorism. 
 
2.  (C)  MOI Chief of Staff Sunidar confirmed to RSO 3/6 
details of the attack.  Sunidar said that "erratic writings" 
were found in the attacker's house and on his person, calling 
his community immoral and stating that he would "destroy the 
earth and the village" because it was evil and corrupt. 
Neighbors reported to MOI that the attacker was mentally 
unbalanced and was suffering personal problems related to a 
recent divorce with infidelity overtones. 
 
3.  (C)  Sunidar related a specific incident in the attack. 
A woman approached the assailant on the road as he was 
leaving the mosque.  When she asked what had happened, he 
reportedly said "you will die for asking" and shot her dead. 
 
4.  (C)  Sunidar believed that the grenades and small arm 
weapon were likely purchased from a weapons market somewhere 
in Yemen. 
HULL