Yemen says it foiled major al Queda plot.

[pnwmom]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/08/07/yemen-al-qaeda-plot-drone-strikes/2627097/

SANAA, Yemen — Yemen's government said Wednesday that it thwarted an al-Qaeda plot to to take over strategic ports and attack oil pipelines in the latest threat to foreign interests by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

More suspected U.S. drone strikes struck terrorist targets Wednesday in the country's south. The strikes killed seven suspected al-Qaeda terrorists, according to the Yemen government.

The embassies of the United States and Britain remained closed in Sanaa following the interception of a communication between al-Qaeda's leader Ayman al-Zawahiri and the leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabia Peninsula that suggested terror groups were planning an attack in the capital.

On Wednesday, hundreds of military vehicles were positioned around the city. Tanks and troops protected embassies and government offices and the airport.

SNIP

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/08/world/middleeast/yemen-authorities-foil-qaeda-plot-reports-say.html


SANA, Yemen — Yemeni security officials said Wednesday that they had foiled an audacious plot by Al Qaeda to seize an important port and kidnap or kill foreigners working there, but the claim aroused some skepticism among Yemenis and independent terrorism analysts.

The foiled plot did not appear to be related to the threat that has led to the closing of embassies here and elsewhere.

A day after the United States and Britain moved to withdraw personnel from Yemen in response to concern over the possible terrorist threat, Yemen’s capital was in a state of high alert, with jet fighters soaring overhead and many streets barricaded.

Intercepts of secret correspondence between Ayman al-Zawahri, the leader of Al Qaeda, and Nasser al-Wuhayshi, the leader of the Qaeda affiliate in Yemen, inspired deep concern inside the American government about a possible terrorist plot by the group. American government officials said that Mr. Zawahri used the communication to urge the Yemeni militant leader to carry out a large terrorist attack.

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[darkangel218]

1. I guess this is the reason they closed the embassies.

[pnwmom]

2. I don't know. The second article implies it wasn't. n/t