US embassy cable - 05SANAA1325

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001325 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, PINR, YM, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: ROYG AL-HOUTHI CELL ROUND UP REVEALS PLANS TO 
TARGET AMBASSADOR 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1. (S) Summary.  On May 15 Interior Minister Rashad al-Alimi 
informed Ambassador of the round up of al-Houthi cells 
responsible for the recent series of deadly grenade attacks 
on ROYG Military officials in Sanaa.  Alimi shared alarming 
information garnered from MOI and PSO investigations that one 
of the cells was targeting Embassy and Ambassador and had 
stored weapons including missiles in an apartment near the 
Embassy compound. Alimi said he was confident that these 
cells no longer constituted a threat to Ambassador or 
Embassy.  Alimi said these arrests revealed a dangerous 
evolution of al-Houthi tactics since the insurrection broke 
out last June, saying that although they have not connection 
"they are learning from al-Qaida tactics and techniques." 
End Summary. 
 
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Al-Houthi Cell Round Up, Weapons Found 
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2. (S) Assuring Ambassador that the safety and security of 
the U.S. Embassy is a ROYG priority, Alimi pulled out four 
pages of hand-written notes and began to brief.  The Minister 
announced that 21 individuals had been arrested as a result 
of Ministry of Interior (MOI) and Political Security 
Organization (PSO) investigations into the recent series of 
grenade attacks against ROYG officials in Sanaa.  (Note: 
Local press reported that 21 al-Houthi supporters were 
arrested for a perpetrating grenade attacks against Yemeni 
military officials and vehicles.  End Note.)  Of the 21 
arrested, 11 remain in ROYG custody. 
 
3. (S) Alimi stated his certainty that the evidence gathered 
by MOI and PSO during searches and interrogations was more 
than sufficient to prosecute and convict the 11 cell members. 
 He reported that during the round up 26 persons were injured 
and two killed, including one security officer.  Explosives 
and weapons, including 10 missiles (NFI) were found in cell 
locations, along with documents clearly implicated the 
members.  Alimi promised to share all these documents as well 
as the names and information gathered about these individuals 
with the USG. 
 
4. (S) Alimi said that the al-Houthi supporters have 
dramatically changed tactics since the insurrection broke out 
last June and are  "learning from al-Qaida."  As evidence he 
pointed to the use of women to transport weapons and of the 
'cell structure' to maintain their security.  Ambassador 
sought clarification as to whether or not the cells had any 
connection at all to AQ and Alimi said there was not any 
information to suggest such a connection. 
 
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Cell Targeting Embassy, Ambassador 
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5. (S) Alimi told Ambassador "the most dangerous cell" had 
been using a rented apartment in close proximity to the 
Embassy, and that weapons (including anti-tank weapons) and 
explosives (TNT) were found at this site.  A target list was 
also recovered that included the Ambassador, the Embassy 
compound, President Saleh, and Ministry of Defense officials. 
 Alimi said he did not believe this cell or others currently 
constituted a treat to USG personnel or the Embassy, as most 
of the members had been captured or were on the run and 
unable to go operational. 
 
6. (S) Alimi reported that PSO and MOI arrests and 
interrogations revealed that the Ambassador had been 
surveilled during his March 31 trip to Dhamar and his April 
31 visit to Maarib.  According to Alimi, the men who 
conducted this surveillance had been captured.  (Note:  Alimi 
provided the following names:  Saber Johaf, al-Jahaf, Ehab 
al-Kochani, Hussein al-Zakaf, Ahmed Zalafi, and added that 
many others are also in ROYG detention.  End Note.) 
 
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Several Remain at Large 
----------------------- 
 
7. (S) MOI believes several cells members are still at large, 
Alimi told Ambassador, but assured that MOI and PSO are 
following every lead.  The Minister said he believed those 
still on the loose received orders from Sadaa to return 
following the round up, but had been unable to do so for fear 
of capture.  Their pictures and/or descriptions have been 
disseminated to police and security checkpoints throughout 
Yemen.  Ambassador told Alimi that the USG stood ready to 
help in this effort it any way it can. 
 
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Female Cell Member Cooperating 
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8. (S) One cell member arrested is a woman, Intasar Sayyani, 
who is married to a second member, Ahab Kalani.  Alimi said 
Sayyani confessed and is cooperating with security officials. 
 She has explained the goals of the cell, its operational 
plans, and she led authorities to the stored weapons. 
According to Sayyani, the cell had been actively seeking a 
residence near the Embassy with a "high location" that 
afforded an unobstructed view.  Alimi said that the leader of 
this "most dangerous cell" has also confessed, and that the 
ROYG has documents in his handwriting that implicate the cell 
in targeting Ambassador, the Embassy, President Saleh, and 
other ROYG military officials. 
9. (S) Ambassador called an EAC May 16 to discuss this 
information and possible reaction (reported septel). 
Krajeski