US embassy cable - 04SANAA1962

S E C R E T SANAA 001962 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2014 
TAGS: PINR, PGOV, PTER, MCAP, YM, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: ROYG REQUESTS U.S. INTEL ASSISTANCE IN FIGHT 
AGAINST AL-HOUTHI 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Nabeel Khoury; reasons 1.5 (b), (d). 
 
1.  (S)  Summary.  Yemeni Minister of Defense and his 
Intelligence Chief made a surprise appearance at Charge's 
August 11 meeting with Foreign Minister al-Qirby to request 
U.S. intelligence assistance in the ROYG's continuing 
struggle against the forces of Shi'ite extremist leader 
al-Houthi in north Yemen.  Despite the need for assistance, 
the Minister of Defense maintained that the conflict would be 
solved positively in a matter of days.  End Summary. 
 
Defense Minister's Surprise appearance at MFA 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
2.  (S)  Charge was summoned on August 11 by Foreign Minister 
Abubakr Abdullah al-Qirby and Minister of Interior Rashad 
Mohammed al-Alimi to discuss "bilateral issues."  Upon 
arrival at the MFA, the FM informed Charge that al-Alimi had 
a pressing engagement and presented, instead, Minister of 
Defense Abdullah Ali Alaiwa and his Intelligence Chief 
Siyanni. 
 
3.  (S)  Al-Qirby stressed the importance of U.S.- Yemeni 
cooperation in the combating of terrorism, and launched into 
a request for specific U.S intelligence information to aid 
the ROYG in the on-going and increasingly bloody conflict 
between ROYG forces and the supporters of al-Houthi in the 
northern Sa'da region.  The FM quickly added, however, that 
the situation in general is "under control." 
 
4.  (S)  Defense Minister Alaiwa continued that the ROYG 
needed specific U.S. intelligence assistance to locate 
elements of al-Houthi supporters in "other areas" of the 
country by eavesdropping on their wireless and hand-held 
radio communications.  He said that Yemen did not have the 
technical capability to listen to these communications, but 
could provide specific "numbers" and "frequencies" for the 
U.S. to target.  When pressed by DATT, Alaiwa could not offer 
further information as to the type of wireless or radios. 
 
5.  (S)  Charge responded that the USG would like to assist 
if it can, but that several issues would first have to be 
addressed, including, whether we had the capability, if it 
was currently available in the region, and whether it would 
be possible to share such information.  Charge and DATT 
promised to pass the request through the appropriate 
channels. 
 
Al-Houthi "Surrounded on Three Sides" 
------------------------------------- 
 
6.  (C)  Charge asked Defense Minister Alaiwa for an update 
of the situation in Sa'da.  Alaiwa reported that his forces 
now controlled approximately ninety-eight percent of the area 
where the fighting has been taking place, except for portions 
of Jabal Salman (north-western portion of the area of 
engagement).  Charge asked if it was true that the Army has 
al-Houthi surrounded, as reported in the press.  "He is 
surrounded on three sides," responded Alaiwa insisting that 
he was certain that al-Houthi had not escaped from the Jabal 
Salman area, and added that the two sides continue to 
exchange small arms fire, separated by 200 to 300 meters of 
rugged and difficult terrain.  Al-Alaiwa said al-Houthi had 
200 to 300 fighters left.  When the Charge expressed surprise 
at the small number, Intelligence Chief Siyanni shook his 
head and interrupted "no, more than that." 
 
7.  (C) Comment:  On the margins, the Defense Minister told 
Charge that if the requested intelligence information was not 
provided in the next three or so days, it would be 
unnecessary, as the fighting would be over.  This has been a 
consistent ROYG message throughout the two-month long 
conflict.  In our view, the fighting is not likely to end 
anytime soon.  This request for intelligence assistance 
suggests that the ROYG is not only shaken by its inability to 
defeat al-Houthi quickly, but fears the conflict may spread 
to other areas of the country.  End Comment. 
KRAJESKI