Military units deployed in Mareb, Jowf, & Shabwa [Archives:2002/34/Front Page]

Sanaa, Saturday 17 Aug. (YT)Within the framework of achieving security and stability in the eastern region, in particular Marib, al-Jawf and Shabwa, recently established central security units have been deployed in those governorates. The three governorates are considered tribal regions where there are factors that could be potentially crucial for al-Qaeda elements to move freely. These areas are also known for their frequent kidnapping incidents and tribal clashes. These areas are thought to be a suitable haven for terrorist elements.
Latest reports reveal that Abu Ali al-Harethi and Abu Asem al-Ahdal, the two main Yemeni fugitives wanted by the US, are hiding in these areas.
On the issue of modernizing its security operations, Yemen, in cooperation with the USA, is currently working on enhancing its coast guard forces. The USA had earlier expressed its readiness to support Yemens technical and investigative experience in this regard so as to prevent the flowing of al-Qaeda elements into or out of the country.
Last week, Vice Admiral Timothy Keating, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces for the Central Command and Commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet visited Sanaa, where he discussed means to promote institutional structuring of coast guard forces. Sources reveal that the USA will be providing Yemen with around 25 gunboats as a first batch, while Germany, The Netherlands, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will sponsor the forming of this force.
On the other hand, the countrys border guarding mission was re-entrusted with Member of Parliament Sheikh Amin al-Ukaimi, one of the leading Sheikhs of al-Jawf by President Ali Abdullah Saleh during their meeting last Tuesday. Sheikh Amin had been removed from his post following his arrest in mid-June.
During his detention in Sanaa, al-Ukaimi denied that al-Jawf tribes or any other tribes in eastern governorates had links with al-Qaeda elements or the so-called al-Qaeda sympathizers. Al-Ukaimi had stated that the authorities demanded from him during his detention to surrender the two wanted suspects, Abu Ali and Abu Asem.

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