At least 23 Shi'ites were killed in an Al Qaida suicide attack in the
eastern Yemeni province of Jawf. The victims, heading for a Shi'ite
celebration, were identified as supporters of the Shi'ite rebel Believing
Youth movement, said to be supported by Iran.
This was said to have marked the first major Al Qaida strike against
Shi'ite rebels, led by Abdul Malek Al Houthi. Diplomats said Al Qaida in the
Arabian Peninsula has been targeting Shi'ites in northern Yemen this year.
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The fatalities included two tribal leaders, identified as Hussein
Hadhban and the sons of Abdullah Abdan. Yemeni sources said these and other
tribal leaders had received threats from Al Qaida not to participate in
Shi'ite ceremonies.
AQAP has been led by Saudi nationals and was directly linked to Osama
Bin Laden. Over the last year, the Al Qaida network claimed responsibility
for several unsuccessful plots to bomb U.S. passenger and cargo aircraft.
Yemeni sources said AQAP has sought to win support from tribes in
eastern and central Yemen. AQAP was said to operate in several provinces,
including Maarib.
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