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Yemen remains fertile for Jihad, say terrorism experts

While the Obama Administration and Pentagon officials tout the message that the country of Yemen is an ally of the United States in the war against al-Qaeda, security and counterterrorism experts warn that the Yemeni government is weak, corrupt and ill equipped to capture terrorists in their midst, reports Law Enforcement Examiner.

These experts also believe Yemen will continue to witness foreign fighters seeking to participate in 'jihad" pouring into that beleaguered Islamic nation.

On Sunday, the London Times quoted the President of Yemen as saying he was willing to strike a deal with al-Qaeda if militants laid down their weapons. President Ali Abdullah Saleh believe he can negotiate with members of the terrorist network.

However, even as he spoke with reporters covering the civil unrest in one of the world's poorest nations, US officials acknowledged that al-Qaeda members from countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia were leaving the battlefields of Afghanistan to join their "brothers" in the fertile terrorist haven in Yemen, especially the lawless tribal lands in the south.

According to intelligence reports, the rising star of international terrorism, Yemeni preacher Anwar al-Awlaki, is in hiding in the area

The American-born Jihadist reportedly served as religious counselor to two of the 9/11 bombers, and had communications with the US army psychiatrist now charged with the Fort Hood shootings that left 13 victims dead. He allegedly also communicated with the Nigerian terrorist who attempted to blow up a Christmas Day flight as it was landing at Detroit International Airport.

Authorities claimed that al-Awlaki was killed in a pre-Christmas air strike in southern Yemen, but it was later confirmed that the Jihadist was still alive.

Yemeni President Saleh told al-Jazeera Arabic television that he was willing to offer al-Qaeda members a chance to put down their weapons and enter into peace talks.

Meanwhile US special forces instructors are training Yemeni soldiers in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency tactics.

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TAGS: Yemen Obama Administration al-Qaeda Jihad terrorism experts President of Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh

[01/12/2010]

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