US embassy cable - 04SANAA521

S E C R E T SANAA 000521 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2014 
TAGS: PTER, PREL, YM, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: ONGOING AGGRESSIVE CT OPS IN ABYAN 
 
REF: A. SANAA 507 
     B. SANAA 506 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull for Reasons 1.5 (b,d) 
 
1.  (S/NF)  Summary/Comment:  Yemeni counterterrorism (CT) 
operations by Central Security Forces (CSF) and Ministry of 
Defense forces have been ongoing in the Abyan region for 
approximately one week.  ROYG informed Post of the capture of 
al-Qaida element Raouf Naseeb on 3/3.  Minister of Interior 
and Yemen Special Operations Forces (YSOF) Commander noted 
3/8 the capture of persons related to the USS Cole escapees 
from Aden prison, claiming four captured with six at large. 
Although questions remain on the exact nature of operations 
and what type of terrorists are being targeted (e.g., 
Cole-related or generally al-Qaida), these operations 
demonstrate an aggressive CT campaign by the ROYG.  End 
Summary/Comment. 
 
2.  (S/NF)  Senior Advisor to the President Mohamed Sudam 
informed DCM 3/3 that a CT operation had been underway in 
Abyan for several days.  Sudam noted the capture of Ali Abd 
al-Raouf al-Naseeb, aka Abu Mahjan, whom Sudam described as a 
companion of Abu Ali al-Harithi and a significant capture 
affiliated with al-Qaida. 
 
3.  (S/NF)  Minister of Defense Abdullah Ali Aliwa told 
CJTF-HOA BGEN Robeson and Ambassador 3/8 that the ROYG 
received information on terrorists hiding in Abyan. 
Operations were begun with Ministry of Interior forces and a 
military brigade.  He said that some persons were captured 
but some were still at large. 
 
4.  (S/NF)  Minister of Interior Dr. Rashad Mohamed al-Alimi 
told BGEN Robeson (visiting from CJTF-HOA) and Ambassador 3/8 
that the ROYG received information about persons preparing 
for terrorist attacks and wanted individuals hiding in the 
Lawdor area in Abyan.  Alimi said they sent a Central 
Security Forces (CSF) CT unit to carry out operations for 
capture.  He noted that the CSF unit also had a military 
brigade in support of CSF.  He said he expected operations to 
be complete within 48 hours.  When asked about USS Cole 
escapees, he said that four persons were apprehended, with 
six still at large.  When asked about the Cole escapees Jamal 
Mohammad al-Badawi and Fahd Mohammed Almed al-Quso, Alimi 
said that they were still at large.  BG Robeson asked whether 
operations could be observed to assist in ongoing U.S. 
training of the CSF.  Alimi said that videotapes could be 
made available. 
 
5.  (S/NF) Yemen Special Operations Forces (YSOF) Commander 
Ahmed Ali Saleh, who appeared healthy and well after 
well-publicized assassination attempt rumors (ref A), said 
that an armored brigade assisted the CSF in the operation. 
He also told BGEN Robeson 3/8 that YSOF would have only 
gotten involved if the CSF were unable to handle the 
operation or if the situation "got out of control."  When 
asked, he said that the operation was against "10 Cole 
escapees," with four captured and six still at large. 
 
6.  (C)  Ministry of Interior Chief of Staff BGEN Sunidar 
told RSO 3/8 that the Abyan operations were a result of 
"ongoing, long-term planning" that began in June 2003 after 
the assault on the military convoy in Abyan.  He said the 
operation was ongoing and "would take time to sort out and 
comment on." 
 
7.  (S/NF)  Comment:  While many aspects of the ongoing Abyan 
operation remain unclear, it is positive to see the ROYG 
mounting an aggressive CT deployment involving coordination 
among military and MOI assets (including a U.S.-equipped 
force).  The apprehension of Naseeb is a notable success. 
Possible apprehension of/engagement with escaped Cole 
suspects remains vague.  The paucity of details provided by 
the ROYG has complicated the task of assessing extensive 
regional media reporting on Abyan, e.g., reports of hundreds 
of extremists "surrounded" given a surrender ultimatum.  Post 
will continue to seek details and to press the ROYG for more 
information before and during future CT operations.  End 
Comment. 
 
 
HULL