Editing Terrorism in Yemen

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{{Campaignbox Insurgencies in Yemen}}
In its war on '''terrorism in Yemen''', the [[US government]] describes [[Yemen]] as "an important partner in the [[global war on terrorism]]".<ref name="StateDept">[https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35836.htm Background Note: Yemen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604193812/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35836.htm |date=June 4, 2019 }} ''US Department of State'', January 2006</ref> There have been attacks on civilian targets and tourists, and there was a cargo-plane bomb plot in 2010. [[Counter-terrorism]] operations have been conducted by the Yemeni police, the Yemeni military, the U.S. [[Central Intelligence Agency]], and the U.S. [[Department of Defense]] - [[U.S. Special Operations Forces]] and [[United States Central Command]].

=={{anchor|Attacks against civilian targets}}Attacks on civilian targets==
===1992 Aden hotel bombings===
{{Main|1992 Aden hotel bombings}}

===Limburg attack===
{{Main|Limburg attack}}
In October 2002, near the port of [[Mukalla]], [[suicide bombers]] rammed an explosive-laden boat into the ''[[Limburg (tanker)|Limburg]]'', a French oil tanker, killing a Bulgarian crew member and spilling {{convert|90000|oilbbl|m3}} of oil into the [[Gulf of Aden]]. Saudi born [[Abdulraheem al-Nashiri]], prime suspect of the USS Cole bombing, paid $40,000 to fund the Limburg attack. With that money, the former Al Qaida leader [[Abu Ali al-Harithi]] bought the explosives and transported them from his house in [[Shabwah Governorate|Shabwa]] to [[Mukalla]] in [[Hadramut]].<ref>{{cite book|first1=Rupert|last1=Herbert-Burns|first2=Sam|last2=Bateman|first3=Peter|last3=Lehr|title=Lloyd's MIU handbook of maritime security|date=September 2008|publisher=CRC Press|location=Boca Raton|isbn=9781420054804|page=60|access-date=September 27, 2016|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8mFdMbhkiWEC&q=limburg+Abdulraheem+al-Nashiri|archive-date=February 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217153404/https://books.google.com/books?id=8mFdMbhkiWEC&q=limburg+Abdulraheem+al-Nashiri|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Civil Aviation, Meteorological Authority and helicopter attacks===
On November 3, 2002, there was an attack on a helicopter carrying [[Hunt Oil Co.]] Employees shortly after taking off from [[Sana'a]]. A missile and a machine gun were fired at the helicopter injuring two American citizens.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Blau|first1=Justine|title=Al Qaeda Suspect Arrested In Yemen|date=April 5, 2003 |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/al-qaeda-suspect-arrested-in-yemen/|work=CBS News|access-date=September 27, 2016|archive-date=October 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001173850/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/al-qaeda-suspect-arrested-in-yemen/|url-status=live}}</ref> One person was jailed for the helicopter attack as well as for bombing the Civil Aviation and Meteorological Authority building in Sana'a.<ref>{{cite web|title=Yemen raises al-Qaeda sentences|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4238487.stm|website=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=September 27, 2016|date=February 5, 2005|archive-date=February 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217153359/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4238487.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Hull|first1=Edmund J|title=High-Value Target: Countering al Qaeda in Yemen|date=2011|publisher=Potomac Books, Inc|location=Washington DC|isbn=9781597976794|page=34|edition=illustrated|access-date=September 27, 2016|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=icRXzZIVhKAC&q=meteorological+authority|archive-date=February 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217153346/https://books.google.com/books?id=icRXzZIVhKAC&q=meteorological+authority|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Jibla hospital===
On December 30, 2002, a suspected Islamic [[fundamentalist]] killed three US workers and wounded one in a hospital in [[Jibla, Yemen|Jibla]] with a semi-automatic [[rifle]]. Two men were eventually convicted and executed for the attack - the gunman [[Abid Abdulrazzaq Al-Kamil]], and the 'mastermind' [[Ali Ahmed Mohamed al-Jarallah]], who had also been convicted of the 2002 murder of Yemeni politician [[Jarallah Omar]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.domini.org/openbook/yem20021230.htm |title=Three Baptist Hospital Staff Killed in Yemen |publisher=Domini.org |access-date=April 4, 2010 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235719/http://www.domini.org/openbook/yem20021230.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Firing squad executes Yemeni for killings of Baptist workers|url=http://www.tciarchive.org/1808.article|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011203342/http://www.tciarchive.org/1808.article|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 11, 2016|website=The Christian Index|access-date=September 28, 2016}}</ref>

===Al-Salem letter threats===
Jews in Yemen reportedly fled their homes due to threats from Muslim extremists. [[Al-Qaeda]] members sent letters to 45 Jews living in al-Salem (near Sana'a) on January 19, 2007, accusing them of involvement in an "international Zionist conspiracy". The Jewish community sent a complaint to President [[Ali Abdullah Saleh]] and temporarily moved to a hotel near Sana'a. The Yemeni government promised to protect their homes and reassured them that they could return.<ref name=SALEMTHREAT>{{cite web|title=News Brief|date=January 23, 2007 |url=http://www.jta.org/2007/01/23/archive/jews-in-yemen-reportedly-fled-their-homes-due|publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|access-date=September 28, 2016|archive-date=October 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002043056/http://www.jta.org/2007/01/23/archive/jews-in-yemen-reportedly-fled-their-homes-due|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Yemenite Jews under pressure from Muslim extremists|url=http://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/news/yemenite-jews-under-pressure-from-muslim-extremists|website=World Jewish Congress|date=January 23, 2007|access-date=September 28, 2016|archive-date=October 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003234709/http://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/news/yemenite-jews-under-pressure-from-muslim-extremists|url-status=live}}</ref>

===US Embassy===
{{Main|2008 attack on the American Embassy in Yemen}}
On September 17, 2008, Al-Qaeda militants attacked the US Embassy in [[Sana'a]]. 20 people were killed, including six militants, six policemen and seven civilians. One American was also among those killed.

===Attacks on tourists===
{{see also|2007 attack on tourists in Yemen|2008 attack on tourists in Yemen|2009 Yemeni tourist attacks}}
A suicide bomber killed eight Spanish tourists and their two Yemeni drivers in [[Ma'rib]] on July 2, 2007. On January 18, 2008, Al-Qaeda militants opened fire on a convoy of tourists in [[Hadhramaut]], killing two Belgian tourists, two Yemenis, the tourists' driver and their guide. In March 2009, four South Korean tourists and their local Yemeni guide were killed. Two attackers also died.

===UAE-run secret prisons===
In the name of punishment, Yemenis are tortured at the hands of Houthis and Saudi Arabia-led military. According to a report published by the [[Associated Press]], the [[United Arab Emirates]] runs a network of secret prisons across southern Yemen, where several hundreds of Yemenis on suspicion of being al-Qaida or Islamic State militants are held.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.apnews.com/e32442a4c8c24acd9d362c433d5cd10e|title=Ex-inmates: Torture rife in prisons run by Yemen rebels|date=December 7, 2018 |publisher=Associated Press|access-date=December 7, 2018|archive-date=January 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109111033/https://www.apnews.com/e32442a4c8c24acd9d362c433d5cd10e|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to former detainees, families of prisoners, civil rights lawyers and Yemeni military officials, there are at least 18 lock-ups hidden away in military bases, air and seaports, the basements of private villas and even a nightclub. Prisoners are held without any charges, with the Yemeni government having no control over these UAE-run prisons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/b2a5ecfd1adb442a86df5bd05bc6599e|title=Inside Yemen's secret prisons: 'We could hear the screams'|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=June 22, 2017|archive-date=January 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109111017/https://apnews.com/b2a5ecfd1adb442a86df5bd05bc6599e|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Beir Ahmed]] prison in the southern city of [[Aden]] is one such prison, where detainees are tortured and sexually assaulted by the UAE officers. Prisoners are electrocuted by their genitals and rocks are hung from their testicles. They are also sexually violated with wooden and steel poles. In March 2018, Emirati officers blind-folded and handcuffed all the detainees of Beir Ahmed prison and made them stand under the sun until noon. The detainees were asked to undress and lie down with their legs spread open. The Emirati forces then touched their genitals and probed their rectums in search of mobile phones.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/7994b4508e9c4a5eaf8a1cca9f20322f|title=Detainees held without charges decry Emiratis' sexual abuses|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=June 20, 2018|archive-date=January 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106054905/https://apnews.com/7994b4508e9c4a5eaf8a1cca9f20322f|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Bin Salman mosque bombing===
The Bin Salman mosque was bombed on May 2, 2008, at the Bin Salman Mosque in [[Sa'dah]], and killed 15 and injured 55. Local officials believed the bomb was hidden in a car or a motorcycle.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7379929.stm | title= Deadly blast strikes Yemen mosque | work =BBC News| date= May 2, 2008 |accessdate = May 23, 2008 }}</ref>

Some witnesses said the target may have been the mosque's [[imam]], or prayer leader, an army officer who adheres to the [[Salafi movement|Salafi]] school of [[Sunni Islam]]. Witnesses said he was not hurt. Military personnel are among those who usually pray at the Bin Salman mosque, which like others in Yemen caters for both the majority Sunni community and [[Shia Islam|Shia]] [[Zaidiyyah|Zaidis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008%2F05%2F02%2F49258.html|title=Bomb attack on Yemen mosque kills 15|date=May 2, 2008|website=Al Arabiya English}}</ref>

===Wadi Dawan attack===
On January 18, 2008, there was an [[2008 Wadi Dawan ambush|ambush attack]] on [[Belgium|Belgian]] tourists traveling in a convoy through [[Hadhramaut Governorate|Hadhramaut]] in the [[Wadi Dawan]] desert valley  A convoy of four jeeps carrying 15 tourists to [[Shibam]] was ambushed by gunmen in a hidden pickup truck.<ref name=bbc>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7196186.stm BBC NEWS - Al-Qaeda attack Belgian Tourists]</ref> Two Belgian women, Claudine Van Caillie, of [[Bruges]], 63, and Katrine Glorie, from [[East Flanders]], 54, as well as two Yemenis, a driver and a guide, were killed; another man was also heavily wounded, several others suffered minor wounds.<ref name="soir_belgestues">{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/monde/deux-touristes-belges-tues-au-2008-01-18-572164.shtml Deux Belges tuées au Yémen], ''[[Le Soir]]'', January 18, 2008.</ref> The tourists were repatriated to Belgium on January 19, except the injured man, who remained in [[Sana'a|Sanaa]].<ref name="soir_rapatries">{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/monde/yemen-les-touristes-belges-2008-01-19-572289.shtml Yémen: les touristes belges rapatriés], ''Le Soir'', January 19, 2008.</ref>

In the wake of the attack, [[Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs]], [[Karel De Gucht]] originally rejected that [[Al-Qaeda]] might be responsible, explaining that although the possibility could be avoided, internecine disputes and latent Islamism also to be taken into account.<ref name="soir_belgestues"/> A number of arrests were made on January 21.<ref name="soir_arrestations">{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/monde/yemen-arrestation-des-auteurs-2008-01-21-572517.shtml Plusieurs suspects arrêtés au Yémen], ''Le Soir'', January 21, 2008.</ref> [[President of the European Council]] [[Slovenia]] released a statement saying "The EU Presidency strongly condemns all forms of violence and calls on the  government of Yemen to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice."<ref>[http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=105884&d=20&m=1&y=2008 Belgian Tourists Return Home From Yemen Ordeal], ''[[ArabNews]]'', January 20, 2008.</ref>

=={{anchor|Military/police counter-terrorism operations}}Military and police counter-terrorism operations==
{{see also|Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen}}
After the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] in the United States, President [[Ali Abdullah Saleh]] attempted to eliminate the [[Islamist]] militant presence. By November 2002, Yemeni government troops had detained 104 suspected al-Qaeda members.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/al-qaeda-arrests-worldwide Al Qaeda Arrests Worldwide]  Fox News</ref>

In December 2001 a search by government forces for two Yemenis believed to be senior al-Qaeda members hiding near [[Ma'rib]] led to a gun battle with tribesmen which ended in the deaths of 34 people, including 18 soldiers. To defuse the situation, ten Ma'rib [[sheikh]]s were detained as hostages of the state in the presidential palace for 35 days, until 43 lesser tribesmen took their place.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press  |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0112210343dec21,0,4605558.story |title=Al Qaeda men sought in Yemen |work=Chicago Tribune |date=December 21, 2001 |access-date=April 4, 2010 |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023215110/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0112210343dec21,0,4605558.story |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the request of the United States, Spanish troops boarded and detained a ship transporting [[Scud]] missiles from [[North Korea]] to Yemen in December 2002. After two days, when the United States determined that it had no right under international law to continue detaining the shipment, it was allowed to continue on its way to Yemen.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2569687.stm |title=Scud affair draws US apology |work=BBC News |date=December 12, 2002 |access-date=April 4, 2010 |archive-date=July 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702013207/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2569687.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/east/12/11/us.missile.ship/ |title=U.S. lets Scud ship sail to Yemen |work=CNN|date=December 12, 2002 |access-date=April 4, 2010 |archive-date=January 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102014935/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/01/01/mogadishu.somalia.ap/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On July 30, 2009, three soldiers were killed in a clash with al-Qaeda militants in Marib province.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business24-7.ae/Articles/2009/7/Pages/ThreesoldierskilledinalQaedaclashinYemen.aspx|title=Breaking News, UAE, GCC, Middle East, World News and Headlines - Emirates 24/7|work=Emirates 24/7|access-date=October 26, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801123117/http://www.business24-7.ae/Articles/2009/7/Pages/ThreesoldierskilledinalQaedaclashinYemen.aspx|archive-date=August 1, 2009}}</ref> On December 17 the village of [[Al Ma`jalah]] was hit by a [[cruise missile]] which killed 41 people, including 14 women and 21 children; 14 were alleged al-Qaeda members. While the Yemeni government initially took responsibility, photographs of American components and a [[United States diplomatic cables leak|leaked diplomatic cable]] suggested that it was carried out by the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wikileaks cable corroborates evidence of US airstrikes in Yemen|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/wikileaks-cable-corroborates-evidence-us-airstrikes-yemen-2010-12-01|publisher=Amnesty International|access-date=August 7, 2012|date=December 1, 2010|archive-date=February 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215095255/http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/wikileaks-cable-corroborates-evidence-us-airstrikes-yemen-2010-12-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] reported that US [[cruise missile]]s were part of the camp bombardment targeting [[Abu Hureira Qasm al-Rimi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/03/29/the-civilian-massacre-the-us-will-neither-confirm-nor-deny/|title=The civilian massacre the US neither confirms nor denies|work=thebureauinvestigates.com|access-date=September 30, 2015|archive-date=April 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408034051/http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/03/29/the-civilian-massacre-the-us-will-neither-confirm-nor-deny/|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to a local official and a tribal source, 49 civilians (including 23 women and 17 children) were among those killed in the strike. That day, a clash between security forces and al-Qaeda members in Abhar left four militants dead.<ref name="rawstory.com">{{cite web|url=http://rawstory.com/news/afp/34_suspected_Al_Qaeda_killed_in_Yem_12242009.html |title=34 suspected Al-Qaeda'killed in Yemen air strike' |website=The Raw Story |date=December 24, 2009 |access-date=April 4, 2010}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

An air raid targeted an al-Qaeda meeting in Wadi Rafadh, Shabwa province on December 24, 2009. Thirty-four al-Qaeda militants were killed in the attack. According to security forces, Saudis and Iranians were among those killed. The number of al-Qaeda members arrested the previous week rose to 29.<ref name="rawstory.com"/>

==US air attacks==
The US first said that it used targeted killing in November 2002, with the cooperation and approval of the Yemeni government.<ref name="google1">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6FKf0ocxEPAC&q=%22targeted+killing%22&pg=PA542|title=The Law of Armed Conflict: International Humanitarian Law in War|author=Gary D. Solis|isbn=978-0-521-87088-7|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|pages=538–47|year=2010|access-date=May 19, 2010|author-link=Gary D. Solis|archive-date=February 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217153405/https://books.google.com/books?id=6FKf0ocxEPAC&q=%22targeted+killing%22&pg=PA542|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="google2811">{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7nsuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7YkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2811,1484648&dq=targeted-killing&hl=en|author=Walter Pincus|title=U.S. Says Yemen Aided Missile Strike|work=The Daily Gazette|date=November 26, 2002|access-date=May 20, 2010|archive-date=September 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904041722/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7nsuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7YkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2811,1484648&dq=targeted-killing&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2004, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC-TV) international-affairs program ''Foreign Correspondent'' investigated the [[targeted killing]] and the involvement of the US ambassador as part of a report entitled "The Yemen Option". The report examined evolving tactics and countermeasures in dealing with al-Qaeda-inspired attacks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2004/s1054112.htm |title=Foreign Correspondent – 02/03/2004: The Yemen Option |publisher=Abc.net.au |access-date=April 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906170650/http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2004/s1054112.htm |archive-date=September 6, 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

An estimated 98 US drone attacks were conducted in Yemen from 2002 to 2015: 41 in 2012, 26 in 2013 and 14 in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roggio|first1=Bill|last2=Barry|first2=Bob|title=Charting the data for US air strikes in Yemen, 2002 - 2014|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/multimedia/Yemen/code/Yemen-strike.php|website=The Long War Journal|access-date=June 16, 2014|archive-date=July 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706233247/http://www.longwarjournal.org/multimedia/Yemen/code/Yemen-strike.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2002 Al-Harethi killing===
Early in 2002 the [[George W. Bush|Bush]] administration approved sending about 100 [[Special forces|Special Operations Forces]] to Yemen.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/02/international/middleeast/02MILI.html US Broadens Terror Fight, Readying Troops for Yemen], ''[[The New York Times]]'', March 2, 2002 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114133428/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/02/international/middleeast/02MILI.html |date=November 14, 2012 }}</ref>

Six Yemeni suspected al-Qaeda members were blown up in their car in [[Marib province]] in November 2002 by a [[AGM-114 Hellfire|Hellfire]] missile from an unmanned [[CIA]] [[RQ-1 Predator|Predator]] drone.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tech.mit.edu/V122/N54/long4-54.54w.html |title=U.S. Citizen Among Those Killed In Yemen Predator Missile Strike – The Tech |publisher=Tech.mit.edu |date=November 8, 2002 |access-date=April 4, 2010 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203204727/http://tech.mit.edu/V122/N54/long4-54.54w.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Among the dead were [[Qaed Salim Sinan al-Harethi]] (aka Abu Ali al-Harithi), a suspected senior al-Qaeda lieutenant believed to have helped mastermind the October 2000 [[USS Cole bombing|USS ''Cole'' bombing]].<ref name="google1"/><ref name="google2811"/><ref name="ahram2002">{{cite web |author=Nyier Abdou |url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2002/612/re5.htm |title=Death by Predator |work=Al-Ahram Weekly |date=November 20, 2002 |access-date=May 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123030641/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2002/612/re5.htm |archive-date=January 23, 2011  }}</ref> Al-Harethi was on a list of targets whose capture or death had been ordered by US President George W. Bush.<ref name="google1"/> and [[Kamal Derwish]] (aka Ahmed Hijazi), an American.<ref name="google1"/><ref name="nytimes2">[https://www.nytimes.com/glogin?URI=https://www.nytimes.com/cfr/international/slot3_012506.html&OQ=_rQ3D1Q26pagewantedQ3Dprint&OP=61fd11a5Q2Fjv20j7bQ5C4_bbidjQ5C3_jQ26li2_lQ3BiQ26blQ3B6j46biQ2BQ7BENdpEQ3AQ23Q2Aig6 "Q&A: Targeted Killings"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108190959/https://www.nytimes.com/glogin?URI=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fcfr%2Finternational%2Fslot3_012506.html&OQ=_rQ3D1Q26pagewantedQ3Dprint&OP=61fd11a5Q2Fjv20j7bQ5C4_bbidjQ5C3_jQ26li2_lQ3BiQ26blQ3B6j46biQ2BQ7BENdpEQ3AQ23Q2Aig6 |date=November 8, 2021 }}, Eben Kaplan, ''The New York Times'', January 25, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historycommons.org/entity.jsp?entity=kamal_derwish|title=Profile: Kamal Derwish|website=[[History Commons]]|access-date=September 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225013333/http://www.historycommons.org/entity.jsp?entity=kamal_derwish|archive-date=December 25, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2010 al-Shabwani killing===
In May 2010 an errant US drone attack targeting al Qaeda terrorists in [[Wadi Abida]] killed five people, including [[Ma'rib Governorate|Ma'rib province]] deputy governor Jaber al-Shabwani (who was mediating between the government and the militants). The killing angered Shabwani's tribesmen and in subsequent weeks they fought government security forces, twice attacking a [[Marib–Ras Isa oil pipeline|major oil pipeline in the province]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69Q36520101027?pageNumber=1|title=Drones spur Yemenis' distrust of government and U.S.|work=Reuters|date=October 27, 2010|access-date=November 3, 2010|archive-date=December 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215135850/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69Q36520101027?pageNumber=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2011 airstrikes===
On May 5, 2011, a missile fired from a US drone killed Abdullah and Mosaad Mubarak, brothers who may have been al-Qaeda militants. The missile struck their car, and both died instantly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/May-06/Suspected-US-drone-missile-strike-leaves-2-militants-dead-in-Yemen.ashx#axzz1LcYNJi3X|title=Suspected U.S. drone missile strike leaves 2 militants dead in Yemen|work=The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon|access-date=October 26, 2014|archive-date=October 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007010251/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/May-06/Suspected-US-drone-missile-strike-leaves-2-militants-dead-in-Yemen.ashx#axzz1LcYNJi3X|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g6LdXwFbdblX-X1pLYfnLh_-K-Sw?docId=CNG.3bce48042eb243fc76055628cd8a2455.ae1] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321074349/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g6LdXwFbdblX-X1pLYfnLh_-K-Sw?docId=CNG.3bce48042eb243fc76055628cd8a2455.ae1|date=March 21, 2013}}</ref> The strike intended to kill al-Qaeda propagandist [[Anwar al-Awlaki]], but he was not hit in the strike.<ref>Mazzetti, Mark, "Drone Strike In Yemen Was Aimed At Awlaki", ''The New York Times'', May 7, 2011, p. 11; Coker, Margaret, "Drone Targets Yemeni Cleric", ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', May 7, 2011, p. 1.</ref>

On June 3, 2011, American manned jets (or drones) killed Ali Abdullah Naji al-Harithi, a mid-level al-Qaeda operative, and several other militant suspects, including [[Ammar Abadah Nasser al-Wa'eli]], in a strike in southern Yemen.<ref>[[Bill Roggio|Roggio, Bill]], "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/07/aqap_confirms_2_comm.php AQAP confirms deaths of 2 commanders in US airstrike] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220002212/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/07/aqap_confirms_2_comm.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", ''[[Long War Journal]]'', July 21, 2011.</ref> Four civilians were also reportedly killed in the strike, reportedly coordinated by American special forces and CIA operatives based in [[Sanaa]].<ref>Mazzetti, Mark, "U.S. Is Intensifying A Secret Campaign Of Yemen Airstrikes", ''The New York Times'', June 9, 2011.</ref> According to the [[Associated Press]], in 2011 the US government began building an air base near Yemen from which the CIA and the US military planned to fly drones over Yemen.<ref>Associated Press, "Secret CIA drone base being built to target Yemen militants", ''[[Japan Times]]'', June 16, 2011, p. 1.</ref><ref>DeYoung, Karen, "U.S. Air Attacks In Yemen Intensify", ''[[The Washington Post]]'', September 17, 2011, p. 1.</ref> This base is located at [[Umm Al Melh Border Guards Airport|Umm Al Melh]], just north of Yemen inside Saudi Arabia. ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported that the US previously used a base in [[Djibouti]] to fly drones over Yemen,<ref>Whitlock, Craig, and Greg Miller, "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-building-secret-drone-bases-in-africa-arabian-peninsula-officials-say/2011/09/20/gIQAJ8rOjK_story.html U.S. assembling secret drone bases in Africa, Arabian Peninsula, officials say] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003122008/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-building-secret-drone-bases-in-africa-arabian-peninsula-officials-say/2011/09/20/gIQAJ8rOjK_story.html |date=October 3, 2017 }}", ''The Washington Post'', September 21, 2011.</ref> while ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that a US drone base in the [[Seychelles]] could be used to fly drones over Yemen.<ref>Barnes, Julian E., "U.S. Expands Drone Flights To Take Aim At East Africa", ''The Wall Street Journal'', September 21, 2011, p. 1.</ref>

According to local residents and unnamed American and Yemeni government officials, on July 14, 2011, US manned aircraft (or drones) attacked and destroyed a police station in Mudiya, [[Abyan Governorate]] which had been occupied by al-Qaeda militants. Yemeni media and government accounts conflicted on the number of fatalities, estimated at between 6 and 50. The same day and nearby, drone missiles reportedly hit a car belonging to Yemeni al-Qaeda leader [[Fahd al-Quso]], but al-Quso survived the attack.<ref>Arrabyee, Nasser, and Mark Mazzetti, "U.S. Strikes In Yemen Said To Kill 8 Militants", ''The New York Times'', July 15, 2011, p. 9.</ref><ref>[[Bill Roggio|Roggio, Bill]], "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/07/us_airstrike_kills_6_1.php US airstrike kills 6 al Qaeda fighters in Yemen: report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220002921/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/07/us_airstrike_kills_6_1.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", ''Long War Journal'', July 14, 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/us-airstrike-kills-6-1014955.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718205718/http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/us-airstrike-kills-6-1014955.html|date=July 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/15/world/middleeast/15yemen.html | work=The New York Times | first1=Nasser | last1=Arrabyee | first2=Mark | last2=Mazzetti | title=U.S. Strikes in Yemen Said to Kill 8 Militants | date=July 14, 2011 | access-date=February 20, 2017 | archive-date=December 15, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215135858/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/15/world/middleeast/15yemen.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Whitlock, Craig, and Mohammed al-Qadhi, "Al-Qaeda Fugitive In Yemen Eludes Attack", ''The Washington Post'', July 16, 2011, p. 9.</ref>

On August 1, 2011, US drones and reported Yemeni aircraft attacked three targets with bombs and missiles in southern Yemen, killing 15 suspected al-Qaeda militants and wounding 17 others.  Targeted locations included al-Wahdah, al-Amodiah, and al-Khamilah in Abyan Governorate. One of those killed was reportedly militant leader Naser al-Shadadi. According to the ''Yemen Post'' online newspaper, "At least 35 US drone attacks were reported in Yemen over the last two months".<ref>Al-Qadhi, Mohammed, "Airstrikes Kill Militants In S. Yemen", ''The Washington Post'', August 2, 2011, p. 9.</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/militants-killed-in-air-attacks-in-south-yemen/2011/08/01/gIQArZmDoI_story.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | first=William | last=Wan | date=August 2, 2011 | title=Militants killed in air attacks in south Yemen | access-date=September 15, 2017 | archive-date=July 31, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153507/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/militants-killed-in-air-attacks-in-south-yemen/2011/08/01/gIQArZmDoI_story.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=3873&MainCat=3|title=US Drones Kill 15 in Yemen's Abyan Province- Yemen Post English Newspaper Online|work=yemenpost.net|access-date=September 30, 2015|archive-date=August 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110802234825/http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=3873&MainCat=3|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 24, unidentified aircraft attacked suspected al-Qaeda militants near Zinjibar. The strikes reportedly killed 30 militants and wounded 40 others.<ref>Al-Haj, Ahmed, [[Associated Press]], "[http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/08/ap-yemen-airstrikes-kill-30-militants-082411/ Yemen strikes kill 30 al-Qaida-linked fighters]", ''[[Military Times]]'', August 24, 2011.</ref>

According to Yemeni officials, as reported in the ''[[Long War Journal]]'', US airstrikes in southeast Abyan province from August 30 to September 1 killed 30 [[Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula|AQAP]] militants reportedly engaged in combat with Yemeni military forces.<ref>[[Bill Roggio|Roggio, Bill]], "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/09/us_airstrikes_in_sou.php US airstrikes in southern Yemen kill 30 AQAP fighters: report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220003553/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/09/us_airstrikes_in_sou.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", ''Long War Journal'', September 1, 2011.</ref> Two airstrikes by US-operated aircraft on September 21 reportedly killed four AQAP fighters in Abyan and seven AQAP fighters in Shaqra.<ref>Roggio, Bill, "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/09/us_airstrikes_kill_a.php US airstrikes kill AQAP fighters in southern Yemen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220002917/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/09/us_airstrikes_kill_a.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", ''Long War Journal'', September 22, 2011.</ref> On September 30 US drone-launched missiles killed four people, including al-Qaeda propagandist [[Anwar al-Awlaki]], in [[Al Jawf Governorate]]. The strike also killed Samir Kahn, the American-born editor of ''[[Inspire (magazine)|Inspire]]'' magazine. It was the first known time that the US deliberately targeted US citizens in a drone attack.<ref>Almasmari, Hakim, Margaret Coker, and Siobhan Gorman, "Drone Kills Top Al Qaeda Figure", ''The Wall Street Journal'', October 1, 2011, p. 1.</ref>

A reported drone strike in Zinjibar on October 5 killed five AQAP militants.<ref>''The New York Times'', "Drone Strike In Yemen", October 6, 2011.</ref> Yemeni government officials said that an October 14 US airstrike killed seven AQAP militants, including Egyptian-born AQAP media chief Ibrahim al-Bana.<ref>[[Associated Press]], "Yemen Says Local Al-Qaida Chief, 6 Others Killed", ''[[Arizona Daily Star]]'', October 15, 2011.</ref> Eight militants were reportedly killed in an airstrike near Jaar on December 17; a December 22 drone strike near Zinjibar reportedly killed Abdulrahman al-Wuhayshi, a relative of Yemeni al-Qaeda leader [[Nasir al-Wuhayshi]].<ref>[[Reuters]], "U.S. Drone Kills Yemen Al Qaeda Leader's Relative: Source", December 23, 2011.</ref>

===2012 airstrikes===
A reported US airstrike on January 31, 2012, near the city of Lawder in Abyan province killed 11 AQAP militants. The dead reportedly included Abdul Monem al-Fahtani, a participant in the USS ''Cole'' bombing.<ref>DeYoung, Karen, "U.S. Airstrike Targets Al-Qaeda In Yemen", ''The Washington Post'', February 1, 2012, p. 10; [[Bill Roggio|Roggio, Bill]], "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/01/us_drone_strike_kill.php US drone strike kills 11 AQAP leaders, fighters: report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220002353/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/01/us_drone_strike_kill.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", ''Long War Journal'', January 31, 2012.</ref>
Drones engaged in three attacks in three days on March 9–11, 2012. The first strike targeted an AQAP hideout near Al Baydah, Baydah province, reportedly killing local AQAP leader Abdulwahhab al-Homaiqani and 16 of followers. The second strike, on Jaar in Abyan province, reportedly killed 20 AQAP fighters. The third strike, also on Jaar, reportedly killed three AQAP militants and targeted a storage location for weapons seized by AQAP after it overran a Yemeni military base in Al Koud the previous week.<ref>[[Bill Roggio|Roggio, Bill]], "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/03/us_drone_strike_kill_1.php US drone strike kills 3 AQAP fighters in Yemen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220002554/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/03/us_drone_strike_kill_1.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", ''Long War Journal'', March 12, 2012.</ref> A fourth drone strike, on March 14 in Al Bydah, reportedly killed four AQAP militants in a vehicle.<ref>Roggio, Bill, "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/03/us_drone_strike_kill_2.php US drone strike kills 4 AQAP fighters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220003123/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/03/us_drone_strike_kill_2.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", ''Long War Journal'', March 15, 2012.</ref>

On April 11, 14 militants were killed in a drone strike in the town of Lauder (northeast of Zinjibar in Abyan province).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/12/c_122963885.htm|title=U.S. drone kills 14 al-Qaida militants in Yemen's south|access-date=October 26, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026210125/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/12/c_122963885.htm|archive-date=October 26, 2014}}</ref> An April 22 drone strike in the Al Samadah area, near the border of Marib and Al Jawf provinces, killed AQAP senior leader Mohammed Saeed al Umda (also known as Ghareeb al Taizi).<ref>Roggio, Bill, "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/04/aqap_confirms_comman.php AQAP confirms commander linked to Osama bin Laden killed in drone strike] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220003736/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/04/aqap_confirms_comman.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", ''Long War Journal'', April 30, 2012.</ref> A suspected US drone strike killed Fahd Mohammed Ahmed al-Quso and another al-Qaida militant in southern Shabwa province on May 6.<ref>Al-Haj, Ahmed ([[Associated Press]]), "[https://news.yahoo.com/airstrike-kills-senior-al-qaida-leader-yemen-185236164.html Airstrike kills senior al-Qaida leader in Yemen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923131835/http://news.yahoo.com/airstrike-kills-senior-al-qaida-leader-yemen-185236164.html |date=September 23, 2014 }}", ''[[Yahoo! News]]'', May 7, 2012.</ref>

===2013 Rada' wedding convoy strike===
On December 12, 2013, 17 people<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.news.yahoo.com/drone-strike-yemen-killed-17-mostly-civilians-toll-084250829.html#i3isOqT|title=Yemen wedding convoy strike highlights civilian drone war toll|date=December 13, 2013|work=Yahoo News UK|access-date=October 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010616/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/drone-strike-yemen-killed-17-mostly-civilians-toll-084250829.html#i3isOqT|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yourmiddleeast.com/news/drone-strike-in-yemen-killed-17-mostly-civilians_20162|title=Drone strike in Yemen killed 17, mostly civilians|work=Your Middle East|access-date=October 26, 2014|archive-date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927202323/http://www.yourmiddleeast.com/news/drone-strike-in-yemen-killed-17-mostly-civilians_20162|url-status=live}}</ref> in a wedding convoy were killed in the [[Rada' District]] of the [[Al Bayda' Governorate|Governorate of Al-Bayda']].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/12/us_drone_strike_kill_24.php|title=US drone strike kills civilians in central Yemen|date=December 12, 2013 |access-date=October 26, 2014|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219232709/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/12/us_drone_strike_kill_24.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The US drone mistakenly targeted the wedding convoy after intelligence reports identified the vehicles as carrying suspected AQAP members.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/12/world/meast/yemen-u-s-drone-wedding/ | work=CNN | title=Yemen says U.S. drone struck a wedding convoy, killing 14  | date=December 13, 2013 | access-date=December 16, 2013 | archive-date=December 15, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215135856/https://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/12/world/meast/yemen-u-s-drone-wedding/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Although five of the killed were suspects, the remainder were civilians.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-yemen-drone-strike-wedding-20131213,0,4137970.story | work=Los Angeles Times | first1=Zaid | last1=Ali | first2=Laura | last2=King | title=U.S. drone strike on Yemen wedding party kills 17 | date=December 13, 2013 | access-date=February 21, 2020 | archive-date=April 13, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413044111/http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-yemen-drone-strike-wedding-20131213,0,4137970.story | url-status=live }}</ref>

===2014 airstrikes===
On March 3, 2014, an airstrike believed carried out by an American drone killed three suspected AQAP members. Mujahid Gaber Saleh al Shabwani, one of Yemen's 25 most-wanted AQAP operatives, was thought to have been one of those killed.<ref>[[Bill Roggio]]: [http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/03/us_targets_aqap_comm.php US kills 3 AQAP operatives in Yemen drone strike] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219232637/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/03/us_targets_aqap_comm.php |date=December 19, 2021 }}, March 3, 2014</ref>  According to a statement released by the Yemeni Interior Ministry, on April 20–21 three US drone strikes killed at least two dozen suspected AQAP members and destroyed one of the group's training camps in southern Yemen. Five civilians were wounded and three killed in the attack.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Schmitt|first1=Eric|title=U.S. Drones and Yemeni Forces Kill Qaeda-Linked Fighters, Officials Say|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/22/world/middleeast/us-drones-and-yemeni-forces-kill-qaeda-linked-fighters-officials-say.html?_r=0|access-date=June 16, 2014|agency=The New York Times|date=April 21, 2014|archive-date=September 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909184318/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/22/world/middleeast/us-drones-and-yemeni-forces-kill-qaeda-linked-fighters-officials-say.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref> A June 13 suspected US drone strike targeted a car in the Mafraq al-Saeed region of Shabwah province, killing the five alleged AQAP operatives inside.<ref>{{cite news|title=Five killed in Yemen drone strike|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/06/drone-strike-kills-armed-fighters-yemen-2014614141848870796.html|access-date=June 16, 2014|agency=Al Jazeera|date=June 14, 2014|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801073855/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/06/drone-strike-kills-armed-fighters-yemen-2014614141848870796.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{div col}}
* [[List of drone strikes in Yemen]]
* [[Yemen model]]
{{div col end}}
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Terrorism in Yemen}}
{{Asia in topic|Terrorism in|IL=Timeline of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict}}
{{War on Terrorism}}
{{Yemen topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Terrorism In Yemen}}
[[Category:Terrorism in Yemen| ]]
[[Category:21st century in Yemen]]
[[Category:Terrorism by country|Yemen]]
[[Category:Human rights abuses in Yemen]]