Military prepares to weed out terrorists, but . . . Tribesmen say theyre innocent [Archives:2002/21/Front Page]
Who, us? Harboring terrorists? No way. Were innocent.
Thats the message from the tribes of Mareb, Al-Jawf and Shabwa who, in a formal statement, are also warning officials not to target their areas.
In press release issued by supreme council of Mareb, Al-Jawf tribes coalition, the tribes said any action against them will be denounced, and has nothing to do with war against terror.
Further, it will not be of good for Yemeni – US relationships, said the statement which warns the US in particular not to take military action which aims to settle political scores in the pretext of fighting against terrorism.
The US is now training Yemeni officials to combat terrorist elements within the country, elements believed to be within some of Yemens tribes.
But the joint-statement of the tribesmen of these three districts stresses that these areas condemn terrorism in all its shades. They call for working together to enhance security and stability in Yemen.
The statement notes that tribes have a huge need for better security and stability.
However, at the same time they are an important part of the country that cannot be put down or marginalized.
We refuse all efforts exerted to tarnish our tribes or areas, and warn against making us a scapegoat for political or strategic reasons, says the statement.
It also expresses the willingness of tribesmen to cooperate with authorities to track down on terrorists to show that such areas and people have nothing to do with allegations of harboring terrorists.
It denies charges that such areas harbor terrorist or extremist figures, stressing that there is no proofs to such allegations.
The statement also denies that the two prime suspects of al-Qaeda, Abu Ali Al-Harithy and Abu Asem Al-Ahdal, are being protected by tribesmen or exist in the three governorates.
It points out that these tribesmen have all agreed not to harbor any people involved in any terrorist acts, either in or outside Yemen.
Tribal sources have also said that they have seen an unidentified plane flying overhead last week, and they believe it is conducting survelience to gather information for international interests.
They say the flights have started in the Marib area at about 5 p.m. and concluded at daybreak.
They say there are rumors that some elements of al-Qaeda are hiding out in some areas of the governorate.
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