Al Qaeda Plot Uncovered in Yemen - Cities, Oil Pipelines and Ports Targeted
The administration in Yemen announced today (Wednesday) that attempts by Al Qaeda terrorists to harm several targets in the country have been stopped.
According to reports, Al Qaeda operatives had intended to inflict considerable damage to key oil pipelines in the country. The organization additionally planned to take control of several cities and ports across the country. Security forces deployed throughout Yemen are at a heightened state of alert due to the threat of terrorist attacks within the country, and considerable numbers of forces have been employed in order to ensure the defense of key sites.
Tensions have been high in the Arab country in the wake of US and international concerns of large-scale, imminent attacks orchestrated by terror organizations in retaliation for the death of Sayid al-Shihri, a high-ranking figure within Al Qaeda.
More than 20 western embassies were closed throughout the Arab world in the wake of instructions by the US State Department issued last week, based on reliable intelligence pointing to an attack by Al Qaeda. The US and UK embassies in Yemen remained closed, and non-essential personnel working at the embassies were evacuated out of the country on Tuesday following instructions from the US State Department and the UK Foreign Office.