Yemen troops training as govt calls for aid to curb militants
(6 Jan 2010) SHOTLIST 1. Various of Yemen troops engaged in exercises at training camp 2. More of training exercises with security forces clearing mock house 3. Soldiers running down hill 4. Troops carrying canisters 5. Various of armed troops lined up STORYLINE As Yemeni soldiers took part in training exercises in the country''s north on Wednesday, the country''s foreign minister said that his country opposes any direct intervention by US or other foreign troops in the fight against al-Qaida. Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi''s comments came as the US ramped up its counterterrorism aid to Yemen in an intensified campaign to uproot al-Qaida''s offshoot, which Washington warns has become a "global" threat. US military personnel have already been on the ground training Yemeni security forces in the fight, and intelligence cooperation has increased. Troops were engaged in training exercises in Arhab in the country''s north on Wednesday. Al-Qirbi said Yemen''s government would welcome more military trainers, "but not in any other capacity." So far the US has indicated it is not aiming to deploy ground forces in Yemen. Al-Qirbi''s comments underscored how Washington must tread carefully as it strengthens its partnership with Yemen''s fragile government, which has little control over large parts of the country outside the capital and rules over a population where Islamic conservatism and mistrust of the US is widespread. Yemen has intensified its campaign against the hundreds of al-Qaida militants who have built up strongholds in lawless regions of the impoverished mountainous nation. Security forces arrested three suspected al-Qaida militants from a cell that the US has said was linked to a plot against the American or other embassies, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday. The three were captured on Tuesday at a hospital where they were being treated after being wounded in clashes with security forces a day earlier. In those clashes, Yemeni forces attacked a group of al-Qaida fighters moving in the mountains in the Arhab region. The troops were aiming to capture al-Qaida''s suspected leader in the area, Mohammed Ahmed al-Hanaq, and a relative, Nazeeh al-Hanaq, the ministry said. They escaped, but two fighters with them were killed and several others were wounded. No identities were given for the captured militants. Al-Qirbi also called for greater economic aid to Yemen, the poorest nation in the Arab world, "because this is the way to deal with radicalisation, extremism and terrorism." Obama has vowed a close partnership with San''a against al-Qaida, but there are also deep concerns over the stability of the Yemeni government, which is burdened with crises. Heavily armed tribes dominate large parts of the country, where the military and civilian administration have almost no authority. Many of the tribes resent the central government, saying it neglects development in their areas, and some tribes have given refuge to al-Qaida fighters. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
