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Al-Qaida and its allies remain entrenched in parts of Yemen despite a stepped-up campaign of drone strikes and a U.S.-backed offensive to remove the Islamist militants from the country, according to a new documentary.
PBS' Frontline aired 'Al-Qaida in Yemen' on Tuesday night. It showed the militants' black flag flying over Yemeni towns that appeared to be under complete control of Ansar al-Sharia, a local branch of the terror group that formed in 2011.
Al-Qaida minders escorted journalists through the Ansar al-Sharia's strongholds of Jaar and Azzan, showing them poor and war-torn but seemingly functioning towns.
Report: Obama backs disputed definition of 'civilian' in drone wars
"Now we are in a city, it is a natural city, people are living in the city, having the normal life," journalist Ghaith Abdul-Ahad said in Jaar. "Yet at the same time this is al-Qaida. And they just control a whole city."
'Puppet' and 'Stooge': al-Qaida chief al-Zawahiri issues message on Yemen
The journalists also interviewed refugees who had fled fighting between militants and the army.
EPA, file
A member of militant group Ansar al-Sharia stands next to an al-Qaida flag at a checkpoint in the southern town of Azzan, Yemen, on March 31.
One woman who left her home with her family because of the clashes, wiped away tears and said: "The army and security forces made it worse instead of protecting us."
Al-Qaida-linked militants seized large swathes of territory in southern Yemen last year as then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh grappled with protesters demanding his overthrow. Saleh quit last November in favor of his deputy, Abd-Rabbu Hadi Mansour.
'Massacre': At least 90 killed as bomber targets parade rehearsal in Yemen
The United States and its Gulf Arab allies have watched with mounting alarm as security deteriorates in Yemen, home to al-Qaida's Arabian Peninsula wing (AQAP), which Washington views as a serious threat.
"We consider that al-Qaida presents a very significant challenge," U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Gerald Feierstein told Frontline.
A suicide bomber blew himself up at a military parade rehearsal in Yemen's capital, killing more than 90 soldiers. Msnbc.com's Dara Brown reports.
"For the first time we see al-Qaida trying to hold territory," which is a departure from what the militant group had done in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Horn of Africa, he added.
More than 30 Yemeni troops killed in militant attack
American and Yemeni pressure may be having an impact, however. The Yemeni army said on Monday it had made some progress in the fight against the militants, according to the Yemen Times. The newspaper also said that the military had rejected a ceasefire offer from Ansar al-Sharia.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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It would be beneficial to US interests and regional stability to give Yemen all possible aid short of boots on the ground to destroy the Al Queda forces while they have them in one place. When terrorist organizations such as Al Queda, The PLO and Hammas begin holding ground it legitimizes them and they eventually have a say in or become the government. It has been terrible for regional stability and over the next decade could take an organization on its heels and give them political legitimacy. If the world had backed Israel against The Black September Group, the PLO and Hammas the world would be a safer place.
jkh
Were are almost out of a recession, let's start another war and spend 100 Billion!! They have been killing each other for 2000 years.We need to stop policing the world........
Well, I guess its time to step it up some more.
Gee, Barry acts like he took out OBL and now the world is safe...NOT!!
They plan and disseminate attacks from the region genius. They also construct advanced bombs to strap to willing suicide bombers and send them out towards the US. Its not just leaving them alone thats going to work....
If they control a town, destroy it.
Worked against the Viet-Cong. Win hearts and minds by killing civilians?
People vote with their feet. If the people that are there don't like it, they will leave...that is if they are allowed to leave.
Just because they call themselves a name, doesn't make them what they call themselves. If they start going against the customs of the people and killing people, then the tribal brain will wake up and kick their asses out.
I say that we let them alone and see what they do. If they terrorize the people, then the people will revolt or ask for help in getting rid of the fanatics. If they attack outside of their cities, then tell the people we are coming for them and send a couple of B52s over. The survivors will know what to do.
"but but but we're a religion of peace". there is no "radical" islam. just islam...period. moderate muslims of america and other countries read from the same book as these idiots do. they, the "radicals", however, follow the book. soon, the moderates will have to stop riding the fence and choose.
I agree. We should also apply this to Christians. If you do not speak out against the fundamentalists you are all fundamentalists. Deal?
There is no such thing as a safe place in a place ravaged by war. Even if the U.S. leaves them alone, they themselves will terrorize the City. And, branch out further from there. Contrary to public opinion, nobody wins in war. I also note that Al Queda forces have taken 2nd place to the Saudi's for killing civilians this past few days.
Islam is not just a religion but a political system like Nazism, except it brings its own religion with it. It needs to be treated like it and reduced to cult status like the Nazis have been. Jihad and Mein Kampf both translate to "my struggle".
I agree. I believe the same about the Christian Church. "Evangelism" is just a code word for domination. Just ask a Nigerian, Ugandan or Brazilian what they think of missionairies.
So, should we ban the Christian cult too? Will you be in charge of the committee to decide who is a cult, who is a political movement and who is a religion? It will be hard. From my perspective all religions are religion+cult+political organization. Please do elaborate...
andreas-2067600
Islam is the only religion on the planet that routinely kills other people because they have a different belief system. Comparing the actions that are accepted and/or tolerated by the Muslims to that of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, or any other religion on this planet is bull, or naivety at best. The other religions, one can take them or leave them, but the Muslims routinely kill people for being infidels. There is a big difference. Also, citing an isolated event of violence that some christian or Buddhist commits in the name of his religion is going to be few and far between and can be attributed to the individual and not his religion, not so with Muslims it is routine with them and accepted and tolerated by the moderates if not actually approved by the moderates. Islam is at the tolerance level that other religions were 500 years ago. I could give a big rats ass about the other religions because other than just talk, they leave others alone. By your statement, I can tell that you are naive, a troll, or just full of crap.
This
I say, wait till all the RATS are home and test the new Neutron Bomb.
"The New Neutron Bomb" Do you mean the one that has been moth balled since the 1970's.?
Violence is the last bastion of moral cowardice and the last refuge of the incompetent. When peace becomes impossible through intelligent rhetoric, it is the ignorant who resort to acts of animal - like violence and terror. Even the religiously brain -washed can comprehend that fear for the continuation of one's own existence is a great mobilizer and decision maker. It is only through the acquisition of intelligence that you receive the epiphany that you may be completely wrong about your beliefs.
If an enemy is using violence and terror, then intelligent rhetoric won't pacify them. Intelligence won't allow a nation to sit back and let an enemy kill them, if they have the means to do otherwise!!
RDG6: I absolutely agree with you. I think you get my point.
Seven, I would like to see you from afar, explain your thesis to an Al-Qaida suicide bomber. Do you think they would not push the button ????????
"Al-Qaida in Yemen" This is news? Money would be well spent to stop paying Egypt a billion a year and whatever we are wasting in the rest of the mideast, and just surround the waters of Yemen and let nothing pass. They can't go north because of the desert. Issue a no fly zone, and rout the terrorists out. I know it's a silly proposal, but if that's where the center of terrorism lies, then contain it.
Where is their rich Saudi neighbors contributions? They are loaded with some of our best airplanes and munitions etc and they can afford to buy much more. Yemen is domino right next door...
Agree, Ixor. Until the Saudis are threatened, and they will be, they won't lift a finger to stop the Taliban in Yemen.
Never fear, the US gov is here to save the day. We already have boots on the ground in Yemen. Here we go again, another trillion dollar invaision/occupation blow it to hell and back and re-build it operation. Crank up the presses Ben and open up the till China. We are about to spend the final dollar that sends us to hell in a slop bucket. But thats ok, at least the military idustrial complex will be able to laugh all the way to the bank. Look at us world, ain't we something? Let us show you how to drive into the ground the once most prosperous nation in the entire history of the world! The US gov has gone way beyond STUPID!
I think the US will need to reinstate the draft if it wants to "liberate" all these Middle Eastern countries that have governments it doesn't like. Empires are tricky things to manage, aren't they?
Controlling a town? This just makes targeting easier...
Genocide and war crimes against civilians are always the easy answer. Even easier if you can do by remote control from Kentucky.
Doesn't make them any less of a war crime.
No need for a "war" just firebomb the f-ckers. One and done.
I dont think there is anything we can do to end this mess, they hate us & every time we get a few we make a few , they hate Americans & our way of life & nothing we do will ever stop that , but we still need to weed out as many as we can. This will never be over its human nature we believe how we do things in the U.S is the only way & that we are just in our actions & they believe the same so with that way of thinking it will never end. Dont get me wrong they are barbaric in there actions but so are we. There just is no end to this except blowing up or nuking the hole bunch & that will not happen...
This was on frontline last night. No concern of ours if you ask me. Let them rule themselves and keep us out of it. Then we can focus on the hidden headlines.. Al Querida (intentional) expands in dearborne and controls whole city.
Just for the record, I am sitting in Dearborn Michigan right now, and I grew up around here and know something or two about the arab community here.
They moved out of the Middle East to get away from the opression and tyrany of the extremists and dictators.
This would be the least likely place such a group could co-exist, and also least likely place to recruit anyone to their cause. They would not be any more welcome here than they would be in any other Mid West suburbia.
Now that we know where they are, level the cities and express regret over any collateral damage.
Yemen practices one of the strictest forms of Islam and like most of the Middle East, has regional populations that are mostly tribal. It is very, very difficult to bring any changes to these groups without careful, outside intervention and even then success seems to be short-lived. Most tribal members cannot read the Koran for which their religion is based upon, let alone friendly pamphlets promoting democracy. All these people know is that their government is corrupt and heavy handed, and they seek refuge in a group that claims to "protect" them. Feudalism in Europe did not end in one or two centuries. Tribalism takes even longer and the populous is already centuries behind the rest of the world. There are no funds for a Marshal Plan in the Middle East and bringing any troops to the ground is out. Drone attacks are only one tool but come with unpleasant side effects. If anyone has a solid solution, now is a great time to speak up. Putting these countries on ignore doesn't seem like an option either.
Not saying that you're wrong shared but you might be, based on history.
The Japanese were extreme in their ways until years after WWII but little by little, gnawing around around the edges, the west and capitalism caused their modification. They are still stiff necked but less so.
The same is true for religions, exposure to more lenient ways is contagious, especially, after it becomes obvious that god is not smiting the heretics in spite of their ways.
Time and exposure is the enemy of any closed system.
Those are really good points. A big difference with Japan was the Marshall Plan - it infused a lot of capitol to rebuild the country after WWll. They had to rely on heavy intervention in order to survive. And because of this, they did have a lot of exposure to Western culture. I think a tribal social structure - something Japan didn't have, is another big factor.
Well put 'Shared Nest.'
Each country should offer a reward of 500 dollars for each Al-Qaeda member. it's a great way to eradicate varmint. That would be money well spent.
Yes, if you want to fill GITMO with innocent goat herders and create thousands of new committed terrorists.
Oh wait, we already tried that stupid policy
I don't want to fill GITMO. I just want the head, and an ID would be nice. Leave the body to rot or for the buzzards in the environment.
One would think that targeting is a whole lot easier if they are like rats in one town.
Al queda is like a cancer that prays on woman, children and the masses of innocent. they are no more than cowards that hide their faces and like to attack the helpless and unsuspecting by blowing themselves up with thous around them. They must find some sort of accomplishment by causing fear and chaos. They should be hunted down like rabid dogs and beheaded at witch point they will not go to their god to collect they virgins but drift in hell for all eternity. No the USA should not police the world, but let it be known that if one American is injured by a terrorist we will be coming for them, there will be no safe zones, no safe countries to hide in. There will be no foreign government that will stop the fire we will rain down on them. If you want to harbor terrorists then you will also pay the price. No more aid to these country's like Pakistan. We don't need to pay any one to be our friend. So you want to end the terror, Let them know there will be no place to hide. You will be beheaded at a public service, there will be no Ala or virgins onlyhell. If a country wants our help or support then they will pay no more freebie's.
I agree with you 100%, Al Qaeda IS like a cancer and MUST BE STOPPED! I support the USA military 100% and the peaceful, wealthy countries of the Arabian Gulf (like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, etc) are US Allies against these terrorist scum, and we represent the TRUE peaceful Islam! Our religion is against violence and extremism and these dirty violent pigs dont even know how to read!
Do we need other countries to police the USA?. So, why bother with policing other countries. When the people have had enough they will rise to the occasion, the people will respect their freedom, and security a lot more then if it is handed to them with the blood price of others. Sort of like the hand-out crowd in the USA that will take and use their welfare, food-stamp money to buy dope or beer. People wont respect what is given to them as they will if they earn it.
There are a lot of countries that love to hate us secretly but want and need us to help them with their causes. It makes for good diplomacy and the mitigating of future risks for us to be involved when the conditions merit it. There are too many examples of when we did not act that proved to be the wrong thing to do. Nazi Germany and Bosnia come to mind. Unfortunately being the top world power puts us between a rock and a hard place of being too involved or not involved enough.
So most AlQaida is Sunni. But in YEMEN Al Qaida is Shiite?????? can anyone help me with this? Al Qaida fights Assad with the help of S A. In yemen Al Qaida gets weapons from Iran. Shiite.
Iraqi leaders were claiming many things just prior to their collapse. In many cases the media, no matter their affiliations, swallowed the lies whole only to be fooled repeatedly by BS claims of a failing regime. Sound familiar? If not read the story above and see the parallels, instead of just reading the amusing comments.
Let's get this straight. If we send in drones some "civilians" will be killed. You people will gripe and moan and cry foul. If we send in troops you people will gripe and moan and cry. If we allow them into the US, and they kill some more of us, you people will gripe and moan and cry. Sorry folks, war is horrible, people get killed. Men, women, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, children they all suffer the effects of war, and sadly some die. There has never been a single day in recorded history where there has not been a war ongoing. Sadly I see just as much hatred on these anonymous sites as anywhere. And still yet you think we're a little better, NO WE'RE NOT. And we will never be until......................
IF we send in drones? WTF? We have been killing them with drones for 2 years now. It is part of Obama's peace plan. The Nobel judges are chocking on Obama's bloodlust.